Podcasts about Amen

Most of us know the feeling — the words left our mouth before we thought them through, and the moment they landed we wished we could pull them back. A sharp remark in an argument, a piece of gossip shared too freely, a heated message sent before we took a breath. Words carry tremendous power to encourage and to damage, and the gap between the two is often just a moment of pause we did not take. Psalm 141:3-4 is one of David's most relatable prayers: set a guard over my mouth, Lord, keep watch over the door of my lips. He was not asking God to edit his vocabulary — he was asking for spiritual security over his speech, recognizing that he could not perfectly guard his own mouth and needed the Creator of language to step in. And then he connected the mouth to the heart. Keeping words pure requires keeping the heart from being drawn to what is evil — the "delicacies" of winning an argument with a sharp remark, of feeling superior through gossip, of enjoying mean-spirited humor at someone else's expense. Our words reveal what is happening in our souls. When we are stressed, hurt, or self-righteous, unwise words begin to leak. The solution is not just better manners or trying harder next time. It is inviting the Holy Spirit to purify what is underneath — cultivating kindness, gentleness, and self-control from the inside out, so that what overflows from our lips is grace rather than damage. Bible Verse "Set a guard over my mouth, LORD; keep watch over the door of my lips."— Psalm 141:3, NIV Ponder Today Our words reveal what is happening in our souls. Stress, hurt, self-righteousness, and pride all tend to leak out through what we say. Addressing the condition of the heart is the only lasting solution to an unguarded mouth. We need more than better manners — we need the Holy Spirit's help. Trying harder to control our words without inviting God into the process is a strategy that will eventually fail. His Spirit is what cultivates the fruit of kindness, gentleness, and self-control that produces wiser speech. The "delicacies" David warns against are subtle and socially rewarded. Winning an argument with a sharp remark, bonding over gossip, enjoying humor at someone else's expense — these feel satisfying in the moment and are celebrated in our culture. That is precisely what makes them dangerous. Ask God to stand guard before you enter a conversation. Before a meeting, a family dinner, a group chat, or a difficult exchange — a moment of prayer asking God to guide your words changes the posture you bring to what follows. Words used for positive purposes build relationships and reflect God's character. When we let God guard the door of our lips, the people around us begin to notice that something different is at work in our lives. That is a testimony in itself. A Prayer for You Today Dear God, I know my words have the power to help or hurt people. I confess that I do not always choose them well — too often I react to my emotions rather than stopping to think about what would actually be wise. Please set a guard over my mouth and keep watch over the door of my lips. When I am tempted to complain, direct my attention to Your blessings. When I am tempted to gossip or speak poorly of others, remind me that You created them in Your image and they are worthy of love and respect. Pull my affections away from the delicacies of negativity and cynicism, and fill my soul with so much of Your love that what overflows from my words is grace and encouragement. Let the words I choose always please You. Amen. Want More? Sign up for our free newsletter, The Good Word, for weekly biblical wisdom and encouragement delivered right to your inbox. Join our community today: https://www.lifeaudio.com/thegoodword/ Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

The enemy does not need us in open rebellion to keep us ineffective. Distracted and scattered is enough. If he cannot make us bad, he will make us busy — busy enough that the two things that matter most get quietly crowded out by the many things that feel urgent. Martha was not doing anything wrong, exactly. She was serving, working, being the responsible adult in the room when Jesus was visiting. But Jesus saw beneath the activity to the real problem: she was worried and upset about many things. The work was not the issue — the weight she was carrying underneath it was. Mary had chosen the one thing: sitting present with Jesus, single-hearted and unhurried. Jesus said that what Mary chose could never be taken from her. The things Martha was scrambling to accomplish would pass. The one thing Mary chose would not. The answer to a busy season is not always a less busy season. Sometimes seasons are simply full. The answer is a protected heart in the middle of the fullness — a decision made before the day scatters us that many things will not be allowed to crowd out the one thing. If you're still praying and starting to wonder if it's working, I wrote Praying Through Life's Battles: 90 Days to Strengthen Your Faith for you. You can order it now at battleprayers.com. Until next time, remember, God sees you, hears you, and He knows your needs. Bible Verse "Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed — or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her."— Luke 10:41-42, NIV Ponder Today The enemy does not need to make us bad — distracted and scattered is enough. Busyness is one of his most effective tools, not because it is sinful, but because it quietly crowds out the two things that matter most: loving God and loving people. Jesus did not scold Martha for working — He called out what was underneath it. She was carrying so many good things that she had lost sight of the most important thing. The problem was not the activity. It was the worry and upset driving it. What Mary chose cannot be taken away — what Martha was scrambling for will pass. Everything on our to-do lists is temporary. Sitting with Jesus, present and single-hearted, is the only thing that carries eternal weight. The answer to a busy season is a protected heart, not necessarily a less busy season. Some seasons are simply fuller than others. The decision to guard the one thing must be made before the day begins, not after it has already scattered our attention. People are not interruptions — people are the point. When we treat the people in front of us as obstacles to our productivity rather than the very reason we are doing any of it, we have lost the thread that holds everything together. A Prayer for You Today Heavenly Father, it is a busy and noisy season. I need You to do what I cannot do on my own. Quiet my heart to focus on You. Gather up the scattered pieces of my attention and pull them back to You. I have let many things crowd out the one thing, and I do not want to be too busy to sit at Your feet. I do not want to treat people like interruptions when people are the point. Lord, guard my heart today. When I am pulled in a million directions, remind me that only one thing is needed. Let everything I do today — every task, every conversation, every ordinary moment — be done in love. In Jesus' name, Amen. Want More? Sign up for our free newsletter, The Good Word, for weekly biblical wisdom and encouragement delivered right to your inbox. Join our community today: https://www.lifeaudio.com/thegoodword/ Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Click here for the DRB Daily Sign Up form! TODAY'S SCRIPTURE:  Zechariah 13–14; Psalm 147; Luke 15 Click HERE to give! One Year Bible Podcast: Join Hunter and Heather Barnes on the Daily Radio Bible, a daily Bible‑in‑a‑year podcast with 20‑minute Scripture readings, Christ‑centered devotion, and guided prayer.This daily Bible reading and devotional invites you to live as a citizen of Jesus' kingdom, reconciled, renewed, and deeply loved. TODAY'S EPISODE Welcome to the Daily Radio Bible. Today is October 2nd, and our readings are Zechariah 13–14, Psalm 147, and Luke 15. Zechariah gives us visions of cleansing, restoration, and God's presence among his people. Psalm 147 tells us that God heals the brokenhearted and bandages their wounds. He gathers the outcasts and brings them home. And then we come to Luke 15. Jesus tells three stories about lost things. A shepherd loses a sheep. A woman loses a coin. And a father loses his sons. In each story, something precious has been lost. And in each story, the heart of God is revealed in the finding. The shepherd searches. The woman searches. The father runs toward the younger son and then goes outside looking for the older one. And when what is lost is found, there's a party. Jesus is showing us what God is like. God is not standing at a distance waiting for lost people to somehow find their own way home. God is the Good Shepherd who goes looking. God is the Good Father who runs down the road. And God is the Father who walks out of the party to find the child who is standing just outside the door. Maybe that's the invitation today. Let yourself be found. And come join the party. TODAY'S DEVOTION The Father Who Finds Lost Things God has a way of finding lost things. That's what Luke 15 is about. A lost sheep. A lost coin. And two lost boys. We usually call this last story the parable of the prodigal son. And usually our attention goes immediately to the younger brother. And for good reason. He is obviously lost. He asks his father for his inheritance. He leaves home. He travels to a distant land. He wastes everything. And eventually he finds himself hungry, broken, and feeding pigs. He's lost. But then Jesus tells us something beautiful. He comes to his senses. Something awakens in him. He remembers his father's house. And so he begins the long journey home. But the younger brother isn't the only lost son in the story. There's another one. The older brother. He's been home the whole time. He's been working. He's been responsible. He's followed the rules. He's done what was expected of him. And he's lost too. The younger brother is lost in his appetites. The older brother is lost in his pride. One has wandered into a distant country. The other has managed to become distant from his father's heart while never leaving the property. And maybe that's the more dangerous kind of lostness. Because it's harder to recognize. You can be in the house and still not know the Father's heart. You can be religious. Responsible. Obedient. Hardworking. And still imagine that everything the Father has must somehow be earned. Listen to the older brother. "All these years I've slaved for you." Slaved. That's how he sees himself. Not as a son. As a slave. And that's exactly how the younger brother planned to return too. "I'll go home and ask my father to make me one of his hired servants." Both boys misunderstand their father. Both imagine their relationship with him in terms of servitude. One runs away from the Father. The other works for the Father. But neither seems to understand what it means simply to be loved by the Father. And the Father goes after both. When the younger son is still a long way off, his father sees him. He runs. He embraces him. He kisses him. Before the boy can finish his speech, the Father is already restoring him. Bring the robe. Bring the ring. Bring the sandals. Prepare the feast. My son was lost, and now he is found. But then the Father notices someone else is missing. The older brother. He's standing outside. Angry. Refusing to come in. So what does the Father do? He goes out to him too. The Father leaves the party to find another lost son. And his words are so tender: "My dear son, you have always stayed by me, and everything I have is yours." Everything I have is yours. You don't have to earn this. You don't have to compete with your brother. You don't have to prove your worth. You're my son. Come inside. Join the party. That's the heart of God. The shepherd goes looking for the sheep. The woman goes looking for the coin. The Father goes looking for both sons. God has a way of finding lost things. Maybe you identify with the younger brother today. Maybe you've wandered. Maybe you've made choices you regret. Maybe shame has convinced you that you have forfeited your place at the table. Look down the road. The Father is running toward you. Or maybe you're the older brother. You've tried hard. You've done the right things. You've been faithful. But somewhere along the way, faith became labor. Relationship became obligation. And you started thinking like a servant instead of a beloved child. The Father comes looking for you too. He's standing outside with you. "My dear son." "My dear daughter." "Everything I have is yours." Come inside. Psalm 147 says that God heals the brokenhearted and bandages their wounds. He gathers the outcasts. That's what Jesus shows us. This is the Father's heart. He gathers. He heals. He restores. He finds. And then he celebrates. So wherever you are today, let yourself be found. If you're far away, look toward home. If you're standing just outside the door, listen for the Father's voice. The party isn't complete without you. Come home. Come inside. Receive the robe. Receive the ring. Receive your place at the table. You are not a slave. You are a beloved child. And the Father has come looking for you. That's the prayer I have for my own soul. That's the prayer I have for my family, for my wife, my daughters, and my son. And that's the prayer I have for you. May we see the Good Father today. May we see the Good Shepherd. May we awaken to the God who is always pursuing our hearts. And may we hear him say: "My dear son, my dear daughter, all I have is yours. Come, let's join the party." May it be so. TODAY'S PRAYERS: Lord God Almighty and everlasting father you have brought us in safety to this new day preserve us with your Mighty power that we might not fall into sin or be overcome by adversity. And in all we do, direct us to the fulfilling of your purpose  through Jesus Christ Our Lord amen.   Oh God you have made of one blood all the peoples of the earth and sent your blessed son to preach peace to those who are far and those who are near. Grant that people everywhere may seek after you, and find you. Bring the nations into your fold, pour out your Spirit on all flesh, and hasten the coming of your kingdom through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.   And now Lord,  make me an instrument of your peace.  Where there is hatred let me sow love. Where there is injury, pardon.  Where there is doubt, faith. Where there is despair, hope.  Where there is darkness, light.  And where there is sadness,  Joy.  Oh Lord grant that I might not seek to be consoled as to console. To be understood as to understand, to be loved as to love.  For it is in the giving that we receive, in the pardoning that we are pardoned, it is in the dying that we are born unto eternal life.  Amen And now as our Lord has taught us we are bold to pray... Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven, give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our tresspasses as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not unto temptation, but deliver us from evil, for thine is the Kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen. Loving God, we give you thanks for restoring us in your image. And nourishing us with spiritual food, now send us forth as forgiven people, healed and renewed, that we may proclaim your love to the world, and continue in the risen life of Christ.  Amen.  OUR WEBSITE: www.dailyradiobible.com We are reading through the New Living Translation.   Leave us a voicemail HERE: https://www.speakpipe.com/dailyradiobible Subscribe to us at YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Dailyradiobible/featured OTHER PODCASTS: Listen with Apple Podcast DAILY BIBLE FOR KIDS DAILY PSALMS DAILY PROVERBS DAILY LECTIONARY DAILY CHRONOLOGICAL  

Original Postdate: 10-2-2024 === Gospel Matthew 18:1-5, 10 The disciples approached Jesus and said, "Who is the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven?" He called a child over, placed it in their midst, and said, "Amen, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will not enter the Kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven. And whoever receives one child such as this in my name  receives me. "See that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that their angels in heaven always look upon the face of my heavenly Father.” Reflection There always is a weakness in us where we keep turning to ourselves to find whatever it is within us that we need to do the work of God to be kind and forgiving. We forget about all these other beautiful things that we have in our tradition. Angels constantly watching us, encouraging us, giving us wisdom. Even the dead who have died pray for us. We have so many things that are around us that we miss so easily. So try as best you can to be aware of these wonderful spiritual beings who surround us every day of our life, hoping for us salvation and growth and love. Closing Prayer Father, awareness of the fullness of your message is so important for us. Keep us in touch with all the marvelous things you've created for us as we work toward this kingdom of God. They're abundant, and they're necessary. And we ask this in Jesus' name, Amen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20261002dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:10-11 There’s No Denying It! “There’s no denying it. He’s the best there ever is, the best there ever was, the best there ever will be.” Do you ever find yourself making statements like this? It happens all the time with sports fans. For example, who is the greatest basketball player of all time? Jordan? Kobe? LeBron? Fans will argue whatever data fits their side. “He had more championships” or “The league was tougher during that era” or whatever else they can think of. But whether we're talking about sports, military generals, brainiacs, or business tycoons, there isn’t anyone that EVERYONE agrees is, was, and always will be the greatest of all time. To be honest, the same is true even when it comes to religion. Every religion promotes its teaching or its figurehead as the best. As a Christian, it’s not a secret that I say that about Jesus. Hands down, without a doubt in my mind and heart, Jesus is the best. But let me plead my case. Jesus did what no one else could possibly do. Jesus lived a flawless life, a life of complete perfection, a life that he gave up so that his perfection could be gifted to you and me. However, Jesus didn’t stay dead. After three days, Jesus rose from the grave and walked out of his tomb, alive. He defeated death, an enemy that no man could but he, the God-Man, did. Until Jesus returns, religious people will continue to make their claims about their side being right and others being wrong. But there will come a day when there will be no denying it—Jesus is the best. Prayer: Dear Jesus, keep me faithful in confessing your name until the day when every knee bows and every tongue confesses that you are Lord. Amen. Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

 Prayer to the Holy Guardian Angels O God, in your providence you send holy angels to watch over us. We thank you for the gift of our guardian angels, guides who protect us from harm and whisper your truth in our hearts. Faithful companions on life's journey, help us to walk in the light of Christ, to choose what is good, and to remain steadfast in hope. Guardian Angels, stand beside us in times of trial, strengthen us when we are weak, and lead us safely to the joy of heaven, where together with you, we will praise God forever. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. 

Read Revelation 14:1-16:21.The confrontation between God and Pharaoh in Exodus foreshadowed an even greater conflict still to come. In today's episode of the MY Devotional Podcast, Dr. Michael Youssef turns to Revelation 16, where seven bowls of judgment are poured out upon a rebellious world and the kingdom of the Antichrist.These judgments echo the plagues of Egypt on a global scale: painful sores, seas and rivers turned to blood, scorching heat, supernatural darkness, upheaval surrounding the Euphrates, and finally catastrophic destruction as a voice from heaven declares, “It is done!”Dr. Youssef explains that Revelation presents the ultimate collision between God's perfect justice and humanity's persistent rebellion. God has demonstrated extraordinary patience, but Scripture also teaches that judgment will not be postponed forever.Yet for believers, the message of Revelation is not one of fear but of confidence in Christ. At the cross, Jesus declared, “It is finished,” completing the work of redemption. In Revelation, the declaration “It is done” points toward the completion of God's judgment and the final defeat of Satan.No matter how chaotic world events may appear, God's purposes remain sovereign. Christ has paid the price for His people, evil will not prevail, and the victory of the King is certain.Prayer: Jesus, thank You that You have redeemed me and taken on the judgment I deserve. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.“Look, I come like a thief! Blessed is the one who stays awake and remains clothed, so as not to go naked and be shamefully exposed” (Revelation 16:15).Learn more in Dr. Michael A. Youssef's sermon An End-Times Warning for the Modern-Day Church, The Verdict (Part 1): LISTEN NOW The voice you hear on the MY Devotional podcast is digitally generated with Dr. Youssef's permission. If today's devotional stirred a question, burden, or need for prayer, you don't have to walk through it alone.

If you own a car, you know that it has an engine, doors and, of course, wheels. There are some engineering solutions to transportation problems that are clearly better than others, and no matter who makes the car, designers eventually arrive at the same solutions because they work best.The same pattern holds true in creation. If you were designing genetic material that did one thing in one type of creature and a similar thing in a completely different type of creature, you would use the best design for both. That would result in similar genetic material in both creatures that was subtly different enough to do its unique job in each creature. As a result of using the best design solution, rather than chance, two very different creatures would have similar genetic material. And that's what we are finding as we learn more about genetics.For example, we know that a particular gene in a developing mouse embryo influences the development of the back part of its brain. A very similar gene in the fly influences the development of its antenna, which are sensors that are tied into the brain. Another gene that is similar in people, fish and flies, influences the unique development of eyes in those creatures.Similarities like these argue against the chance development of the genetic code. The same Designer Who invented the genetic code also gave us His Word, which He also intelligently designed to bring us the knowledge of salvation in Jesus Christ.2 Timothy 1:13“Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.”Prayer: Lord, I thank You for bringing Your saving Word into my life. Amen.REF.: Creation Research Society Quarterly, "Embryology and Evolution" To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1232/29?v=20251111

A driver unwilling to wait a few minutes for a train to pass tried to race across the tracks and did not make it. Those few minutes cost him his life. It is a stark and sobering picture, but it opens a question worth sitting with: how seriously do we take the minutes we are given? We tend to think that five minutes here and ten minutes there are too small to matter. But five becomes ten, ten becomes twenty, and before long a habit has formed — and a habit becomes a lifestyle. Ephesians 5:15-16 calls us to be very careful how we live, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. That is not a call to frantic productivity or the elimination of rest. God did not create us to labor without ceasing, and Solomon reminds us in Ecclesiastes 3 that there is a season and a time for every purpose under heaven. A guilt-free nap can be time well spent. The point is not that every minute must be filled with output — it is that every minute belongs to God and is a gift from Him, deserving of intentional stewardship. The minutes we invest in our relationship with God, our marriages, our children, and our obedience to His promptings are never wasted. And the moments when we ignore His leading — even by just a few minutes — can carry consequences we did not anticipate. Our minutes matter to God. And because they matter to Him, they should matter to us. Today's Bible Verse "Be very careful, then, how you live — not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil."— Ephesians 5:15-16, NIV Ponder Today Minutes matter more than we realize — and small habits compound over time. Five minutes spent one way becomes ten, then twenty, then a lifestyle. What we do with our smallest units of time shapes who we are becoming over the long run. Faithful stewardship of time includes rest, not just productivity. God did not design us to labor without ceasing. A nap, a quiet moment, a pause in the day — these are not wastes of time when received as gifts from the One who ordained rest as part of His design. Our relationship with God suffers when we fail to invest time in it. Just as a marriage grows distant when couples stop making time for each other, our walk with God weakens when we crowd out the minutes that belong to Him. Obedience sometimes comes down to a matter of minutes. Lot's wife, a canceled flight to Haiti, a split-second decision at a railroad crossing — history, both sacred and ordinary, is full of moments where a few minutes of faithfulness or impatience changed everything. Every minute is a gift from God and belongs to Him. That is not a burden — it is a perspective shift. When we hold our time as something entrusted to us rather than owned by us, the way we spend it changes. A Prayer for You Today Heavenly Father, because every minute is precious and every one of them is a gift from You, may we learn to mind our minutes and make the most of every one we have, for Your glory and honor. In Your precious name, Amen. Want More? Sign up for our free newsletter, The Good Word, for weekly biblical wisdom and encouragement delivered right to your inbox. Join our community today: https://www.lifeaudio.com/thegoodword/ Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

On the first day of each month, we release Grace & Knowledge, a more in-depth article from Paul that allows him to expand on biblical truths beyond his weekly Wednesday's Word.Our prayer is that this resource helps you “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen” (2 Peter 3:18).In this month's Grace & Knowledge, Paul shares 20 Scripture passages he frequently returns to, offering brief reflections on how they bring conviction, comfort, hope, and practical gospel wisdom to everyday life.Watch Mercy Triumphs Over Judgment this weekend!

Read OnlineThe Angel at Your Side“See that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that their angels in heaven always look upon the face of my heavenly Father.” Matthew 18:10Angels fascinate both young and old. Countless books and stories have been written and shared about encounters with these heavenly beings. If you were to behold one of God's angels, you would undoubtedly be filled with awe, marveling at the angel's beauty, splendor, and power.Today, the Church honors those members of the Celestial Hierarchy who are most intimately involved in our daily lives: our Guardian Angels. The Gospel for this Memorial offers us insight into both their nature and their greatness.The passage begins with a worldly question posed by Jesus' disciples: “Who is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven?” Their question reveals a lingering attachment to status and honor, reflective of human preoccupations both then and now. In response, Jesus performs a surprising gesture—He places a child in their midst.In the first-century Jewish context, children held little societal importance. They had no legal authority, no public voice, and no influence. Therefore, Jesus' action is radical. By presenting a child as the model of greatness, He overturns conventional standards and introduces new criteria: humility, simplicity, dependence, weakness, and childlike trust in God.Jesus then offers a deeper reason why a child is truly great: “Their angels in heaven always look upon the face of my heavenly Father.” These angels are the Guardian Angels. If each child is assigned such a noble guardian who stands perpetually in the presence of God, then the child, too, shares in that dignity. In fact, so does every person, for God gifts each one of us with a Guardian Angel.From this perspective, human greatness is not determined by accomplishments or public acclaim but by the love and care God lavishes upon each soul. The very fact that God entrusts every person with an angel reveals each one's intrinsic worth and sacred dignity. The gift of a Guardian Angel means that each one of us—whether a powerful ruler or a hidden soul in humble circumstances—has value in God's eyes.This first form of greatness arises from our very nature—who we are in God's sight. Such recognition should be enough for us to honor one another and treat every person with reverence. If the angels of Heaven love and serve those around us—our families, neighbors, even strangers—then we, too, must strive to love and serve them with the same devotion and love.There is also a second form of greatness worth reflecting on: the greatness that comes from freely cooperating with the will of God. When we submit ourselves to His providence and actively embrace the mission our Guardian Angels are tasked with—to guide, protect, and lead us to holiness—God's grace abounds in our lives. This does not make us intrinsically “greater” than others, but it allows the greatness of God to shine more brightly through us. In this way, His glory is magnified in and through our cooperation with His will.Reflect today on the quiet presence of your Guardian Angel. Consider the immense dignity you possess in God's eyes, a dignity confirmed by the fact that an angel has been appointed to walk with you through life. Then reflect also on the dignity of every person you encounter each day. Even those who sin and stray from God's will have been entrusted to an angel's care. We must strive to love and serve them as their angels do. As you ponder this awe-inspiring gift, allow this truth to fill you with peace, humility, and a renewed resolve to follow God's will and to help others do the same, so that His greatness may radiate through your life.Angel of God, my guardian dear, to whom God's love commits me here, ever this day be at my side, to light and guard, to rule and guide. Amen. Guardian angel, pray for me. Jesus, I trust in You. Image: The Guardian Angel, by Bernhard PlockhorstSource: Free RSS feed from catholic-daily-reflections.com — Copyright © 2026 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. This content is provided solely for personal, non-commercial use. Redistribution, republication, or commercial use — including use within apps with advertising — is strictly prohibited without written permission.

Click here for the DRB Daily Sign Up form! TODAY'S SCRIPTURE:  Zechariah 10–12; Psalm 126; Luke 14 Click HERE to give! One Year Bible Podcast: Join Hunter and Heather Barnes on the Daily Radio Bible, a daily Bible‑in‑a‑year podcast with 20‑minute Scripture readings, Christ‑centered devotion, and guided prayer.This daily Bible reading and devotional invites you to live as a citizen of Jesus' kingdom, reconciled, renewed, and deeply loved. TODAY'S EPISODE Welcome to the Daily Radio Bible. Today is October 1st. A brand-new month is here, and we begin again, right where we are. Our readings today are Zechariah 10–12, Psalm 126, and Luke 14. Zechariah speaks of restoration. God gathers his scattered people and brings them home. Psalm 126 remembers another homecoming: "When the Lord brought back his exiles to Jerusalem, it was like a dream!" Mouths that had been filled with sorrow are filled with laughter. Those who planted in tears are harvesting with shouts of joy. And then Jesus brings us to a table. In Luke 14, Jesus tells a story about a great banquet. Invitations have gone out, but those who were originally invited are too preoccupied to come. They have property to inspect. Oxen to examine. Relationships and responsibilities demanding their attention. They have lives to manage. So the host does something surprising. He sends his servant into the streets and alleys and tells him to bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind, and the lame. "Come. The banquet is ready." And there is still room. Maybe that's the good news for us today. There is still room. The kingdom of God isn't a prize for those who have managed to make something impressive of themselves. It's a banquet. And the invitation is gift. Come. Take your place. Receive the life God has given you in Christ. There is a place for you at the table. TODAY'S DEVOTION There's a Place for You at the Table There's a party going on. And everybody is invited. Jesus tells us about a man who prepares a great feast and sends out many invitations. Everything is ready. The table has been set. The food has been prepared. The invitation has gone out. "Come, the banquet is ready." But then the excuses begin. One person has purchased a field and needs to go inspect it. Another has bought some oxen and wants to try them out. Another has just gotten married. None of those things are bad. That's worth noticing. Fields aren't bad. Oxen aren't bad. Marriage certainly isn't bad. The problem isn't that these people are doing terrible things. The problem is that their lives have become so filled with their own interests that they cannot receive the invitation. They have things to manage. Things to protect. Things to accomplish. Things that feel more urgent than the banquet. And so they miss it. Then the host does something extraordinary. He says: Go out into the streets and alleys. Bring in the poor. The crippled. The blind. The lame. Bring them in. And they come. Why? Maybe because they don't have much to protect. They don't have impressive résumés to present. They don't have fields that need inspecting or investments that need managing. They simply hear the invitation. And they receive it. There's something beautiful about that. Because grace can only be received. You can't achieve an invitation. You can't earn a gift. You can only open your hands. And maybe that's why Jesus turns immediately afterward to the crowds following him and says some very difficult things. He tells them that following him means letting go. He even uses that shocking language about hating father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, even our own lives. I don't think Jesus is teaching us to despise ourselves or the people we love. That would contradict the very love he embodies and teaches. I think Jesus is exposing the things we cling to as sources of identity and security. He's saying: You can't receive the kingdom while insisting on possessing your life on your own terms. You can't follow me while demanding that everything remain under your control. You have to let go. And then Jesus says: "You cannot become my disciple without giving up everything you own." Maybe there's another way of hearing that. Give up everything you own, and you might discover freedom from everything that owns you. Because there is so much that can own us. Our need to be recognized. Our success. Our failures. Our past. Our shame. Our money. Our reputation. Our religious identity. Our need to be right. Our need to prove ourselves. Even our image of who we think we're supposed to be. These things can own us. But Jesus is setting us free. He invites us to the table. Come as you are. Come empty-handed. Come hungry. Come knowing that you need grace. Come knowing that life is gift. Psalm 126 says that when God's people came home from exile, it felt like a dream. They laughed again. They sang again. Those who had planted with tears harvested with joy. That's what grace feels like. Homecoming. And maybe that's what the banquet is too. It's coming home. It's discovering that the seat at the table wasn't something you had to earn. It was prepared for you. It's discovering that your identity isn't something you have to manufacture. Your life is hidden with Christ in God. It's discovering that the things you thought would save you never could. But Jesus can. So bring your empty hands. Bring your hunger. Bring the parts of your life that have been owned by fear, shame, ambition, or regret. Bring them to the table. There's a place for you. The feast is ready. The invitation has gone out. Come. And maybe as we sit at that table, we will discover that the things that once owned us don't have the same power anymore. Because we know where we belong. We belong with him. That's the prayer I have for my own soul. That's the prayer I have for my family, for my wife, my daughters, and my son. And that's the prayer I have for you. May we release what owns us. May we receive the invitation with gratitude. And may we discover who we truly are in Christ, seated at the table of grace. May it be so. TODAY'S PRAYERS: Lord God Almighty and everlasting father you have brought us in safety to this new day preserve us with your Mighty power that we might not fall into sin or be overcome by adversity. And in all we do, direct us to the fulfilling of your purpose  through Jesus Christ Our Lord amen.   Oh God you have made of one blood all the peoples of the earth and sent your blessed son to preach peace to those who are far and those who are near. Grant that people everywhere may seek after you, and find you. Bring the nations into your fold, pour out your Spirit on all flesh, and hasten the coming of your kingdom through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.   And now Lord,  make me an instrument of your peace.  Where there is hatred let me sow love. Where there is injury, pardon.  Where there is doubt, faith. Where there is despair, hope.  Where there is darkness, light.  And where there is sadness,  Joy.  Oh Lord grant that I might not seek to be consoled as to console. To be understood as to understand, to be loved as to love.  For it is in the giving that we receive, in the pardoning that we are pardoned, it is in the dying that we are born unto eternal life.  Amen And now as our Lord has taught us we are bold to pray... Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven, give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our tresspasses as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not unto temptation, but deliver us from evil, for thine is the Kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen. Loving God, we give you thanks for restoring us in your image. And nourishing us with spiritual food, now send us forth as forgiven people, healed and renewed, that we may proclaim your love to the world, and continue in the risen life of Christ.  Amen.  OUR WEBSITE: www.dailyradiobible.com We are reading through the New Living Translation.   Leave us a voicemail HERE: https://www.speakpipe.com/dailyradiobible Subscribe to us at YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Dailyradiobible/featured OTHER PODCASTS: Listen with Apple Podcast DAILY BIBLE FOR KIDS DAILY PSALMS DAILY PROVERBS DAILY LECTIONARY DAILY CHRONOLOGICAL  

Welcome to Day 2961 of Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain and today is Day 2961 – Theology Thursday – “I Decree and Declare”: Why Social Media Proclamations Are Pagan, Not Biblical Christianity Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2961 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps!   I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2961 of our Trek.   The Purpose of Wisdom-Trek is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before. Our current series of Theology Thursday lessons is written by theologian and teacher John Daniels. I have found his lessons short, easy to understand, doctrinally sound, and applicable to all who want to learn more of God's Word. John's lessons are available on his website, theologyinfive.com. Today's episode is:  “I Decree and Declare”: Why Social Media Proclamations Are Pagan, Not Biblical Christianity. In the age of social media, it has become increasingly common to see posts framed as exercises of spiritual authority rather than prayer. Statements such as “I proclaim that no one in your family will die in the next fifty years in Jesus' name,” “I decree and declare financial breakthrough within twenty-four hours,” or “If you type ‘Amen,' you will receive an unexpected blessing this week” circulate widely and are often shared without hesitation. These declarations are usually presented as acts of faith, sometimes even as obedience to God. Yet beneath their positive tone lies a worldview that is not merely unbiblical but fundamentally pagan. This is not the prayer life of Scripture. It is speech-magic dressed in Christian language. The issue is not simply modern excess or theological sloppiness. These proclamations revive an ancient belief that spoken words themselves possess creative power and that reality can be shaped through confident speech. Scripture does not merely nuance that idea. It directly contradicts it. Biblical Christianity stands in opposition to the notion that human words can compel outcomes, even when God's name is invoked. The First Segment is: Pagan Speech-Magic and the Illusion of Control. In the ancient world, speech was commonly viewed as a mechanism of power. Incantations, spells, charms, and ritual formulas were believed to manipulate divine forces or alter cosmic order. Whether in Mesopotamian incantation texts, Egyptian magical spells, or Greco-Roman magical papyri, the assumption remained consistent: correct words, properly spoken, could force reality to comply. The gods were treated as reactive, and the universe as programmable, provided the speaker possessed the right knowledge or authority. Scripture rejects this worldview entirely. Yahweh is not manipulated, summoned, or compelled. He does not respond to technique, formula, or volume of confidence. He acts according to His will alone. This is why biblical law and prophetic literature consistently condemn sorcery, divination, enchantment, and magic. These practices are not merely immoral behaviors. They are theological crimes, because they attempt to seize an authority that belongs exclusively to God. The second segment is: Imagers, Not Creators: The Limits of Human Authority. Scripture does teach that humanity was created as God's imagers, appointed to represent His rule within creation. Humans are given real authority, but it is delegated, bounded, and derivative. Imaging God means reflecting His character through obedience, stewardship, and faithfulness. It never means sharing His divine attributes. Even though mankind was created to be His imagers, Scripture is clear that only Yahweh can create something from nothing. That distinction is decisive. Humans act within creation. God alone calls creation into existence. No biblical text ever portrays a human, prophet, apostle, or believer as possessing the power to generate reality through speech. Whenever human authority is exercised in Scripture, it operates only in submission to God's revealed will and never independently of it. The third segment is: Only Yahweh Creates by the Power of His Word. Genesis establishes a boundary that Scripture never relaxes. Creation itself unfolds through divine speech. God speaks, and reality exists. Light appears because God commands it. Order emerges because God wills it. Life forms because God decrees it. No creature assists. No angel participates. No human imitates. Creative speech is presented as a uniquely divine act. Psalm 33 reinforces this truth by declaring that the heavens were made by the word of the Lord and that creation stands because He commanded it. Isaiah goes further, portraying Yahweh as the one who speaks and brings forth what He declares, while explicitly denying that any other being shares that authority. This is not poetic exaggeration. It is theological definition. Creative speech belongs to God alone. It is not shared with humanity, not even with God's imagers. Human words carry weight, influence, and consequence. They shape relationships, convey truth or falsehood, and lead toward wisdom or destruction. They do not possess ontological power. When humans claim that their declarations shape reality itself, they are not exercising biblical faith. They are attempting to imitate a divine prerogative. That impulse is not Christian. It is pagan at its core. The Fourth Segment is: New Thought as a Modern Carrier of an Ancient Pagan Idea. The nineteenth-century New Thought movement did not invent manifestation theology. It stripped ancient speech-magic of ritual language and repackaged it in psychological terms. Instead of spells, it spoke of affirmations. Instead of gods, it spoke of “the universe.” Instead of ritual authority, it emphasized belief and mental alignment. When this system entered Christian spaces, it adopted Christian vocabulary while preserving pagan assumptions. Declarations replaced prayers. Confidence replaced submission. Speech replaced petition. Phrases such as “name it and claim it” or “speak it into existence” assume that human words activate creative power. That assumption directly contradicts the biblical teaching that only Yahweh creates by command. This is not a Christian overstatement. It is a foreign worldview smuggled into the Church under familiar language. The Fifth Segment is: Scripture Forbids Declaring the Future Apart From God's Will. James 4 directly confronts the presumption behind these proclamation practices. James rebukes believers who speak confidently about tomorrow as though it belongs to them. The issue is not planning or hope. It is authority. Scripture teaches that the future does not respond to speech. It unfolds according to God's will. Biblical faith does not declare outcomes. It confesses dependence. Pagan systems attempt to control the future through words. Biblical faith entrusts the future to God. The distinction could not be sharper. The sixth segment is: False Assurances Have Always Marked False Prophets. Jeremiah 23 condemns prophets who proclaim peace, safety, and prosperity when God has not spoken. Their sin is not optimism. It is authority theft. They speak from their own imagination while claiming divine endorsement. Modern social media proclamations follow the same pattern. Promises of health, wealth, and protection are declared without covenant context, repentance, or obedience. The medium is modern. The offense is ancient. Speaking future outcomes in God's name without His command is not faith. It is false prophecy. The Seventh Segment is: Words Carry Moral Weight, Not Creative Power. Proverbs 18 verse twenty-one does not teach that words create reality. It teaches that words shape consequences. Speech can heal or destroy, encourage wisdom or cultivate ruin. Scripture never teaches that human words override divine will. If they did, suffering would disappear wherever believers spoke boldly enough. Yet Christ promised tribulation, not immunity. The apostles suffered not because they lacked faith, but because God's purposes extended beyond immediate comfort. The eighth segment it: Biblical Prayer Rejects Pagan Control. The prayer of Jesus in Gethsemane dismantles speech-magic completely. Jesus does not decree escape or declare deliverance. He asks, and He submits. If the incarnate Son does not use prayer as a mechanism for control, then any theology that teaches believers to do so is fundamentally unchristian. Prayer is not command. It is submission. The ninth segment is: The Spiritual Danger of Paganized Christianity. Manifestation-style proclamations are dangerous precisely because they appear spiritual while reshaping faith into technique. They train believers to expect control rather than trust, success rather than endurance, outcomes rather than...

Original Postdate: 10-2-2024 === Gospel Luke 10:1-12 Jesus appointed seventy-two other disciples whom he sent ahead of him in pairs to every town and place he intended to visit. He said to them, “The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few; so ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest. Go on your way; behold, I am sending you like lambs among wolves. Carry no money bag, no sack, no sandals; and greet no one along the way. Into whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace to this household.' If a peaceful person lives there, your peace will rest on him; but if not, it will return to you. Stay in the same house and eat and drink what is offered to you, for the laborer deserves his payment. Do not move about from one house to another. Whatever town you enter and they welcome you, eat what is set before you, cure the sick in it and say to them, ‘The Kingdom of God is at hand for you.' Whatever town you enter and they do not receive you, go out into the streets and say, ‘The dust of your town that clings to our feet, even that we shake off against you.' Yet know this: the Kingdom of God is at hand. I tell you,  it will be more tolerable for Sodom on that day  than for that town.” Reflection It's clear that Jesus longed for his message to be given to other people. And what we hear in this reading is a beautiful way in which that happens, by being in a peaceful, loving relationship with people and spending time with them. And the beauty that stands out for me is this one line where he says, all right, and cure the sick in this house that you're staying in, and then the kingdom of God is at hand for you. The Kingdom of God is about a relationship we have with each other, where there is a healing element to everything. That we're lifting from them burdens awakening them to a freedom that the spirit offers. Closing Prayer Father, we so often rely too much on our own gifts, our own talent. Though that's all important. But the intention of our heart is most essential, and the intention is not just to give someone information, but to want them to be healed of whatever it is that blocks them from the goodness and the beauty that you are to each of us. And we ask this in Jesus' name, Amen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20261001dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name. Philippians 2:9 A Name Above All Others A podcast I listen to regularly takes the time every week to read a Medal of Honor citation. The Medal of Honor is given for acts of valor, acts so heroic that the recipient often lost his life for his actions on the battlefield to save his fellow soldiers. I appreciate taking the time to hear those names and what they did. It allows me to reflect and give thanks to God for the many who have sacrificed so much for my peace and prosperity. In our Bible verse today, we are reminded of a name that cannot and will not be forgotten, a “name that is above every name,” the name Jesus. This name literally means, “God saves.” Jesus saved you and me not just with one act of valor. No, it was a lifetime! He did what we couldn’t even imagine. He lived his life perfectly. He never allowed his heart to lust. He never took something that didn’t belong to him. He never threw a punch in a burst of anger or even uttered a word out of hate. He never told a lie to hide imperfection. He didn't have any. He never whispered gossip about another to make himself feel more important. Not once. He was and is perfect. But then he did something even more amazing: he let himself be killed on a cross so that his perfect life would be gifted to you and to me. He died so that when God looked at us, God wouldn't see our guilt and shame. No, he would only see the perfection of Jesus. Talk about an act of valor! What a name! What a Savior! What a gift we have been given! May we cherish Jesus every single day! May we never forget that because of his sacrifice we have been saved from an eternity of pain. And with each day God gives us, may we honor him in the way we live. Prayer: Dear Jesus, you humbled yourself for me and are now exalted above all. Keep me humble in service and confident in your victory. Amen. Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

O little flower of Jesus, ever consoling troubled souls with heavenly graces,  in your unfailing trust. From the depths of my heart, I ask you to present my petition to Godwith whom you are so beloved and so close.St. Thérèse, Little Flower,teach me your way of spiritual childhood - of trust, of surrender, of love.Help me to see the beauty in the little things, to do small deeds with great love, and to find joy in the hidden path of holiness.Intercede for me, that I may walk with confidence and simplicity on the path God has laid before me.St. Thérèse of the Child Jesus, pray for us. Amen.

Read Revelation 12:1-13:18.Revelation 12–13 introduces some of the most dramatic figures in Biblical prophecy—a woman clothed with the sun, the dragon, and the beast. In today's episode of the MY Devotional Podcast, Dr. Michael Youssef helps unpack these symbols and the cosmic conflict they reveal.Prophetic Scripture often places past, present, and future alongside one another. Satan has already been defeated in his attempt to stop Christ's saving work through the cross and resurrection. Today, he turns his hostility toward God's people. Yet Scripture also looks ahead to his final and complete defeat.Revelation 13 then introduces the beast, commonly identified as the Antichrist—Satan's counterfeit savior and the antithesis of Jesus Christ. Empowered by the dragon, he will deceive, blaspheme God, perform counterfeit signs, and wage war against believers. Yet even in persecution, God calls His people to endurance and faithfulness, secure in the knowledge that they belong to Him.Dr. Youssef also reminds us that Scripture warned of the spirit of antichrist long before the final Antichrist appears. Any teaching that denies the unique identity and saving work of Jesus stands opposed to the Gospel. The world may embrace counterfeits, but the Truth remains unchanged: Jesus Christ alone can redeem sinners from death and give eternal life.Prayer: Lord, thank You that though the spirit of the antichrist is at work, Christ has the victory. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.“Then the dragon was enraged at the woman and went off to wage war against the rest of her offspring—those who keep God's commands and hold fast their testimony about Jesus” (Revelation 12:17).Learn more in Dr. Michael A. Youssef's sermon An End-Times Warning for the Modern-Day Church, The Reckoning: LISTEN NOW The voice you hear on the MY Devotional podcast is digitally generated with Dr. Youssef's permission. If today's devotional stirred a question, burden, or need for prayer, you don't have to walk through it alone.

Charles Darwin recognized that ants challenged his theory of natural selection. He even mentioned it in his book Origin of Species. He even asked how the situation with the lowly ant can ever be reconciled with his theory. He never did come up with an answer, and modern evolutionists still don't have any good answers.Darwin's problem was with the worker ants. Even though they are products of sexual reproduction, they differ greatly from their parents. They are each specialized with features their parents don't have so they can carry out their designated tasks in the nest. The problem is that these workers are sterile females, so they cannot pass on the traits that are unique from their parents. Modern evolutionists theorize that perhaps there were some lucky mutations that took place in queen ants through their evolutionary history. However, this explanation is not very credible since the oldest fossilized ants are identical to today's ants. That means that there is no evidence of evolution in ants over a period of 70 million "evolutionary" years. Of course, we at Creation Moments don't accept claims that the world is that old.Perhaps God, in His foreknowledge, designed ant society this way to foil Darwin and those who have thought like him throughout history. Whatever the case, here is evidence that the ant neither evolved nor could have possibly evolved.Genesis 6:19“And of every living thing of all flesh, two of every sort shalt thou bring into the ark, to keep them alive with thee; they shall be male and female.”Prayer: Dear Father, with wisdom You have designed Your creation to bear witness to You. I, too, praise Your Name. Amen.REF.: CRSnet, "Evolution, Sex and the Ant" To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1232/29?v=20251111

Thursday, 1 October 2026   They love the best places at feasts, the best seats in the synagogues, Matthew 23:6   “They affectionate, also, the first-reclining in the suppers, and the first-sittings in the synagogues.” (CG)   In the previous verse, Jesus noted how the scribes and Pharisees widened their phylacteries and enlarged the tassels of their garments. He continues with their self-serving attitude, saying, “They affectionate, also, the first-reclining in the suppers.”   There are a couple of new words. The first is prótoklisia, a first-sitting. It is derived from protos, foremost (in time, place, order, or importance), and klisia, reclination, as when sitting in a lounge chair or lying back on something.   The idea here is the most important seat at a meal, where people recline at low tables. This is a meal, as seen in the next new word, deipnon, the chief meal, usually in the evening. Of this seating, the Pulpit Commentary says –   “The custom of reclining on cushions set in horseshoe fashion at three sides of the table was now prevalent... The place of honour is said to have been at the upper end of the right side, the president being placed, not in the centre of that end of the table which faced the opening, but at the side. The most honoured guest would be at his right hand... There was often much manoeuvring to obtain this post, and many petty squabbles about precedence arose on every festal occasion.”   The point is that even during meals, these men strove to be recognized as the most important by being seated more honorably than others. Along with this, Jesus says, “and the first-sittings in the synagogues.”   Another new word is seen, prótokathedria, the first sitting. It is derived from protos, foremost, and kathedra, a bench. Again, the Pulpit Commentary, citing Edersheim, provides an explanation of the intent –   The synagogue “was built of stone, with an entrance generally on the south, and so arranged that the worshippers might direct their prayers towards Jerusalem. In the centre was placed the lectern of the reader; the women's gallery was at the north end. ‘The inside plan is generally that of two double colonnades, which seem to have formed the body of the synagogue, the aisles east and west being probably used as passages. At the south end, facing north, is a movable ark, containing the sacred rolls of the Law and the prophets. Right before the ark, and facing the people, are the seats of honour, for the rulers of the synagogue and the honourable.' These were the places for which the Pharisees contended, thinking more of gaining these, where they could sit enthroned in the sight of the congregation, than of the Divine worship which nominally they came to offer.”   This was a me-centered aspect of the religious life of the scribes and Pharisees. They wanted to be seen as important in the eyes of everyone, and these were ways they could obtain such recognition.   Life application: Jesus has already given His disciples instruction on such attitudes –   “But Jesus called them to Himself and said, ‘You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those who are great exercise authority over them. 26 Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant. 27 And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave— 28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.'” Matthew 20:25-28   Paul wrote about this mindset as well –   “Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. 4 Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.” Philippians 2:3, 4   In James 2, we read of showing partiality, something similar in thought, but from the other side of the matter. In these and other examples, we can learn that God does not look with favor on those who are consumed with themselves or who treat others poorly.   Each of us, therefore, should evaluate ourselves and our actions toward others, understanding that we are just people, like all others. Conducting our affairs in life as God desires is what assigns value to us. Therefore, let us endeavor to be pleasing to Him in this manner as we live our lives in His presence.   Heavenly Father, help us not to seek to exalt ourselves in the eyes of others, but to live with humility, knowing that You are evaluating us. May we always think of others as better than us, showing them kind respect no matter who they are. To Your glory, we pray. Amen.  

I greet you in Jesus' precious name! It is Thursday morning, the 1st of October, 2026, and this is your friend, Angus Buchan, with a thought for today.We start in Deuteronomy 25:4: (Amplified Bible)“You shall not muzzle the ox while he is threshing [to prevent him from eating any of the grain]. Then we go to the New Testament, 2 Thessalonians 3:10: ”if anyone is not willing to work, then he is not to eat, either.” I've been a farmer all my life. When a cow is milking, she has given birth to a beautiful calf, and she is producing milk for that calf, off her back, as it were. You have to feed the cow otherwise the cow will lose condition and the calf will become stunted. So we need to feed her extra food to compensate for her feeding her baby. The same thing applies to a sheep and a lamb, to every animal - a horse and its foal, because it is working, not to mention the ox. He's walking. In the old days, they would walk around in a circle and stamp out the wheat from the husk but while he was walking he had a bag around his neck and he could eat food all the time and that's what kept him strong, but on the other hand, the Lord is telling us today that if people are not prepared to work, if they are just bone lazy, they don't deserve to eat. I know it's a hard one, but it's a fact. I refuse to accept the fact that a man says to you, “I can't find a job”. There is work available even if it is sweeping the streets. “No, no. Well I can't do that.” “Why can't you do that, sir?” “No, well that's beneath my dignity.” I want to say something to you. There is nothing more despicable than a lazy man, and at home he's got a wife and children that are starving because he lies in his bed all day, and I make no apologies about this message, and if it's offending some men, I'm very happy because if you don't get out of your bed and go and find a job, you will answer to God for that.We need to work hard. We have been designed by God to work. That's why we've got hands, feet, and a mind. Now let's get going. I'm going to pray for you.Father, This man that's listening to this message and maybe this young man or that old man, Lord, today convict them of their sin of laziness and please Lord, help them to get out of their bed, find a job, receive some dignity and love from their families. I ask this in Your precious name. Amen.God bless you and have a wonderful day. Goodbye.

20 Reasons You're Stuck: https://20.justinegliskis.com/90 Day Transformation: https://apply.justinegliskis.comGet The 1.6:1 Ratio System: https://go.justinegliskis.com/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=show_notes&utm_campaign=book_funnelEmail: hey@justinegliskis.com to get in contact with meNew episodes out every Monday and Thursday at 10 AM Eastern TimeYou are given talents not to bury, but to multiply. Playing it safe with your gifts is its own kind of disobedience.The servant who was given the least buried his — it was no coincidence he had the least. He perceived God as fearful and intimidating. You get what you give. Dead at 25, not buried till 75 — the buried talent isn't currency, it's your life. The diesel exhaust fluid is empty. The truck won't go past 50 MPH. That's what fear does to you. I want to travel. I've been putting it off. I'm putting it out there right now — let's see what happens.The sting of rejection is much quicker than the everlasting "what if." It's uncertain certainty — not a matter of if, just when. Leaning fully on Him isn't a real risk, but it feels like one. That's exactly the point. You go super low — something begins to crack. A connection begins to have space.Listen if you're ready for the risk requirement: real stewardship of your gift always involves exposure to loss. I care about you. Genuinely. How else could I say that? Amen.Discover a podcast designed for entrepreneurs and solopreneurs navigating the challenges of entrepreneurship, offering insights on stress management, health and wellness, and overcoming imposter syndrome, while emphasizing work-life balance, energy alignment, and inner peace; explore topics like burnout recovery, business automation, scaling a business, business growth strategies, client management, mental resilience, overcoming anxiety, and achieving clearer thinking for sustainable success, using the blade of awareness, solving emotional dysfunction and unveiling the trickster within. Experience transformative solitude for entrepreneurs who seek to overcome loneliness while embracing spiritual isolation as a pathway to energy alignment and emotional clarity; learn to thrive alone and awaken in solitude through purposeful mental reset practices that cultivate an abundance mindset and build emotional resilience rooted in inner peace and deep self-inquiry, enabling mindful business growth through productivity that flows from peace rather than pressure, offering essential burnout recovery and healing alone strategies with specialized alignment coaching focused on deep listening skills that unlock success in silence and develop a resilient entrepreneur mindset capable of sustainable achievement.

For several days we've been looking at some very seriousprophetic truths in 2 Thessalonians chapter 2. Paul has talked about rebellion,the man of sin, Satanic deception, and people who reject the truth. Butbeginning in verse 13, the whole tone changes. Paul says: “But we arebound to give thanks to God always for you, brethren beloved by the Lord.” Ilove those words: “Beloved by the Lord.” Aftereverything Paul has said about what is coming upon this world, he reminds thesebelievers who they are. They belong to Jesus. They are loved by God. And if youknow Jesus Christ as your Savior today, so are you. Sometimes we need to stopthinking about everything happening around us and simply remember: I amloved by God. Not because I've earned His love. Not because I've alwaysdone everything right. But because of His grace. Paulcontinues by speaking about God's work in their salvation—through thesanctifying work of the Spirit and “belief in the truth.” Noticehow that contrasts with yesterday's passage. Those who perish rejected thetruth. These believers believed the truth. And what is the truth thatsaves us? The Gospel. Paul says in verse 14 that God called them: “by ourgospel.” The Gospel is the good news that Jesus Christ died for oursins, was buried, and rose again. That's the message Paul preached inThessalonica. Some rejected it. Others believed it. And those who believed werenever the same again. That'sexactly what Paul had said in his first letter to them. He said the Gospel cameto them not merely in word, but “in power, and in the Holy Spirit.” That'swhat happens when someone truly receives the Gospel. The Holy Spirit beginstransforming that person's life. And then Paul says something remarkable aboutwhere all of this is headed. God has called us: “for the obtaining of theglory of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Think about that! We began thischapter talking about our gathering together to Jesus. Now, near the end of thechapter, Paul reminds us that God's ultimate purpose is for us to share in theglory of Christ. Romans8 says that those whom God justified, He also glorified. One day this salvationGod began in us will be complete. No more sin. No more temptation. No moresickness. No more pain. No more aging. No more funerals. No more death. We willbe with Jesus and made like Him. John wrote: “When He is revealed, weshall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.” That's where we'reheaded! And that's why Bible prophecy should give believers hope. We're notsimply waiting to see what happens to the world. We're waiting for Jesus. Anduntil He comes, remember who you are. You are beloved by the Lord. Maybeyou're going through a difficult season today. Perhaps you feel forgotten. Perhapssomeone you loved is no longer here. Perhaps your health isn't what it oncewas. Perhaps circumstances have changed in ways you never expected. But thishas not changed: You are beloved by the Lord. The God Who loved youenough to send His Son to die for you hasn't stopped loving you. The Savior Whosaved you hasn't forgotten you. The Holy Spirit Who began His work in youhasn't abandoned you. And the God Who called you through the Gospel will finishwhat He started. Paulwrote in Philippians: “He who has begun a good work in you will complete ituntil the day of Jesus Christ.” So today, whatever is happening around you,rest in this wonderful assurance: I belong to Jesus. I am loved by Jesus. Andone day I will be with Jesus. That's a pretty good way to start your day! Let'spray. Father, thank You that those of us who have trusted Jesus Christ arebeloved by You. Thank You for calling us through the Gospel, for thesanctifying work of the Holy Spirit, and for the wonderful promise that one dayour salvation will be complete and we will be with Jesus. Help us live todaywith gratitude, confidence, and hope, remembering how deeply You love us. InJesus' name, Amen.

October 1, 2026Today's Reading: Catechism: Daily Prayers: Asking a blessing & Returning ThanksDaily Lectionary: Deuteronomy 2:16-37; Matthew 6:16-34The eyes of all look to You, O LORD, and You give them their food at the proper time. You open Your hand and satisfy the desires of every living thing. (Ps. 145: 15–16) (Luther's Small Catechism “Asking a Blessing”)In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.As we've been discussing humility this week, we've talked about repentance, angels, and how we bear with one another. Today, God's Word helps us consider the Gift of prayer in our lives.Prayer is part of the life of God's people. We should pray at all times and in all places (Luke 18:1, 1 Timothy 2:8). Perhaps you pray every morning and evening during family devotions. You pray at the beginning or end of personal devotions. Before every meal, you pray, as the Small Catechism teaches us. Creating a continual habit of prayer is good. God desires to hear your prayers, and Jesus even taught His disciples how to pray (Matthew 6:9-13). Prayer is also a good exercise in humility.If you could do whatever you wanted, you wouldn't ask anyone for anything. You'd never need to look to anybody else for help or call on someone in every trouble. Definitely, you wouldn't need to praise anyone, since you'd be able to do everything alone. Of course, you know you can't do everything. Prayer reminds us of this every time. When we ask for a blessing, we remember God is the one we're looking to. God alone is in control of every single moment and minute of this marvelous miracle called life. Before we eat, we remember that this food is a gift from God Himself, who has opened His hand to satisfy our desires and the desires of every living thing. You're humbling yourself to acknowledge how God is satisfying your desires. God is taking care of every living being, true enough, but take a moment and realize how amazing it is that God is taking care of you in this moment of prayer. He has put the food on your table. Not only does God know you need food, but God has provided for you in this moment. Prayer is humility in action, and it's a good discipline to practice at all times and in all places. May you continually look to God in prayer, who provides the needs of body and soul through your daily bread, but most importantly in His Word and Sacraments.In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.“Hear us, dear Father, when we pray For needed help from day to day That as Your children we may live, Whom you baptized and so received” (LSB 865:3)Rev. Miguel Gonzalez-Feliciano, pastor of Immanuel Lutheran Church of Klinger and St. Paul Lutheran Church in Readlyn, IA. Tackle the book of Revelation and discover both the promise and challenge of the end times in this new volume in the Concordia Commentary Bible Study Series. Dive into the wide breadth of information available in the Concordia Commentary series with this new line of Bible studies. Each volume covers one of the Concordia Commentaries to help break up deep, theological content into easy-to-digest sections.

What If Today Were Your Last Day?Hebrews 9:27: And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgmentIf you knew today was the last day of your life, what would matter most? Would it be the money in your bank account? The promotion you've been chasing? The house you've worked so hard to buy? The number of followers on your social media? Or would your thoughts immediately turn to your family… Your relationships… Your unfinished conversations… And most importantly… Your relationship with God?Join Life's Word Academy: https://tinyurl.com/lifeswordacademyAccept Jesus today. https://youtube.com/shorts/bIwAUlz7Kg4?si=BNOhv44iLWIR4eVJIf you would like to accept Jesus into your heart today, pray this simple prayer:****God, I have sinned against You. I believe that Jesus is Your Son, who died and rose for my sake. I ask you to forgive me for my sin. I place my trust in You for salvation. I receive you as my Lord and Savior. In Jesus' name, I am forgiven! Amen!****Congratulations! You are now a child of the Most High. John 1:12 says, "But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God."****If you just prayed this prayer to receive Jesus Christ as your Savior, I welcome you to the family of God. Subscribe to my channel and type in the comments right now, “I just prayed that prayer.”****Click here for FREE eBook download: https://tinyurl.com/ISAIDTHEPRAYERShow your love and support the channel:*PayPal: PayPal.me/malachimitchellministry*Cash App: https://cash.app/$MalachiMitchNote Journals and Puzzles:https://tinyurl.com/WalkinFaithPublishingAuthored Books: https://tinyurl.com/PastorMalachiBooksHNO Crypto Coin Investing Opportunity: https://tinyurl.com/HNOCoin-ReferralFREE Ways to Support Me:

Happy feast of St. Therese of Lisieux! On today’s show, Matt Swaim and Anna Mitchell discuss the extraordinary childlike wisdom of the saint known as the Little Flower. Guests include pastoral counselor Kevin Prendergast on October as mental health month, Rita Heikenfeld with an angel food cake recipe amid the feasts of the Archangels and Guardian Angels, and Gary Michuta to explore more Messianic prophecies fulfilled in Jesus. Plus all the latest news, weather, sports, and more… listen live! ***** Morning Offering of St. Therese of Lisieux O my God! I offer Thee all my actions of this day for the intentions and for the glory of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. I desire to sanctify every beat of my heart, my every thought, my simplest works, by uniting them to Its infinite merits; and I wish to make reparation for my sins by casting them into the furnace of Its Merciful Love. O my God! I ask of Thee for myself and for those whom I hold dear, the grace to fulfill perfectly Thy Holy Will, to accept for love of Thee the joys and sorrows of this passing life, so that we may one day be united together in heaven for all Eternity. Amen. ***** RECIPES FROM RITA: ANGEL FOOD CAKE Speed Scratch Angel Food Cake with Fruit Ingredients:1 can (20 ounces) fruit packed in juice or water, not syrup (crushed pineapple, peaches, fruit cocktail, etc)1 package (16 ounces) angel food cake mix – buy one that says mix with waterWhipped cream or cool whip Directions:Preheat oven to 350°. In a large mixing bowl, beat angel food cake mix and fruit with juices over medium-low speed until well-combined, 2-3 minutes.Pour into an ungreased 13×9 pan. Bake on middle rack until lightly brown, 25-30 minutes or so.Cool completely. Cake sometimes turns out a bit sticky, but that’s OK. Classic Angel Food Cake Baking in a tube pan helps the fragile batter rise up sides and center. Ingredients:1 cup sifted cake flour (whisk before measuring) – see tip1-1/2 cups sugar12 large egg whites (1-3/4 cups)1 teaspoon cream of tartar1/4 teaspoon salt1 tablespoon vanilla2 teaspoons lemon juice Instructions:Preheat oven to 325 degrees.Have ready a large tube pan, preferably with a removable bottom. If the pan bottom is not removable, line it with parchment paper. Do not grease the pan.Whisk flour with 3/4 cup sugar. Set aside remaining 3/4 cup sugar.Beat egg whites at low speed in mixer until just broken up and beginning to look frothy.Add cream of tartar and salt and beat at medium speed until whites form very soft, billowy mounds. Don’t over beat as this will result in a flatter cake.Beat in 3/4 cup sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, until all sugar is added and whites are shiny and form soft peaks.Add vanilla extract and lemon juice and mix until blended.Now add flour/sugar mixture.Fold it into whites about 3 tablespoons at a time. You can do this by hand or with the mixer on very low speed.Gently scrape batter into pan, smooth the top, and give pan a couple of raps on the counter to release any large air bubbles.Bake until the cake is golden brown and the top springs back when pressed firmly, 50 to 60 minutes.If cake pan has prongs around the rim for elevating the cake, invert pan onto them. If not, invert pan over the neck of a bottle or funnel so that air can circulate all around it. Let cool completely, 2 to 3 hours.To unmold, run knife around edges, being careful not to separate crust from cake. Slide cake out of pan and cut the same way around removable bottom to release, or peel off parchment paper, if used.Place on platter. (Some folks like to put it bottom side up).Cut slices by sawing gently with serrated knife. Tip: No cake flour? Make your own: Remove 2 tablespoons from 1 cup all-purpose flour.Whisk in 2 tablespoons cornstarch and blend well. ***** Claire Swinarski is online at ascensionpress.com/fiatgirls Full list of guestsSupport the show: https://www.sacredheartradio.com/donate-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sanctification — being set apart, made holy, conformed to the image of Christ — is not a self-improvement project. It is the ongoing work of the Holy Spirit in the life of every believer, and 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 makes the most encouraging promise imaginable: the One who calls you is faithful, and He will do it. Emily reminds us that our position in Christ is forever fixed — nothing can snatch us from His hand. But while we rest in the finished work of the cross, we are also called to partner with the Spirit through Scripture, prayer, service, and discipleship, allowing Him to renew our minds and gradually loosen the grip of worldly thinking and fleshly desire. The goal is not perfection this side of heaven — it is a life that, day by day and year by year, looks a little more like Jesus. Today's Bible Verse "May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it." — 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24, NIV Ponder Today Sanctification is God's work, not yours alone. You partner with the Holy Spirit in the process — but the deep, transforming work of making you holy belongs to the faithful God who called you. Rest in that. Your position in Christ is forever fixed. No failure, no stumble, and no season of spiritual dryness can change what Christ has already secured for you. Sanctification flows from that settled foundation — it does not establish it. Holiness grows gradually, not overnight. The goal is not perfection this side of heaven but a life that, day by day, looks increasingly like Jesus. Small, steady steps of obedience matter more than dramatic overnight transformations. Spiritual disciplines are how we partner with the Spirit. Bible study, prayer, serving others, discipleship, and evangelism are not how we earn God's favor — they are how we open ourselves to the mind-renewing, desire-transforming work of the Holy Spirit. The longer you walk with God, the less the world's pull satisfies. As your mind is renewed through His Word, worldly thinking and fleshly desires gradually lose their grip. That shift in desire is itself evidence of God's sanctifying work in you. A Prayer for You Today Father God, thank You for saving me, setting me free, and continually sanctifying me. I know that I fail every day, but I lean into Your grace all the more. Your grace is sufficient for each day and is such a gift in my life. You are a God who transforms and purifies — so help me renew my mind with Your Word, that I may know Your good, acceptable, and perfect will and see my life conformed more and more to the image of Your Son. In Jesus' name, Amen. Want More? Sign up for our free newsletter, The Good Word, for weekly biblical wisdom and encouragement delivered right to your inbox. Join our community today: https://www.lifeaudio.com/thegoodword/ Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Click here for the DRB Daily Sign Up form! TODAY'S SCRIPTURE: Zechariah 7–9; Luke 13 Click HERE to give! One Year Bible Podcast: Join Hunter and Heather Barnes on the Daily Radio Bible, a daily Bible‑in‑a‑year podcast with 20‑minute Scripture readings, Christ‑centered devotion, and guided prayer.This daily Bible reading and devotional invites you to live as a citizen of Jesus' kingdom, reconciled, renewed, and deeply loved. TODAY'S EPISODE Welcome to the Daily Radio Bible. Today is September 30th, and our readings are Zechariah 7–9 and Luke 13. Zechariah speaks to people trying to rebuild their lives after exile. They have questions about religion, fasting, and what faithfulness should look like now. And God's response is remarkably practical: Judge fairly. Show mercy and kindness to one another. Do not oppress widows, orphans, foreigners, and the poor. Don't scheme against one another. And then Zechariah gives us a beautiful vision of restoration. Old men and women will once again sit in the streets of Jerusalem. Children will play there. God's people will come home. And their king will come to them, righteous and victorious, yet humble, riding on a donkey. Then in Luke 13, Jesus confronts some of the hardest realities of life. People have been murdered by Pilate. A tower has collapsed and killed eighteen people. A woman has lived bent over for eighteen years. The world is falling down. But Jesus refuses to let tragedy tell us what God is like. Instead, he shows us the kingdom. A gardener tends patiently to a tree. A woman who has been bent over is lifted up. A mustard seed grows. Yeast quietly works through the dough. Something is happening. The kingdom of God is rising up. TODAY'S DEVOTION When the World Is Falling Down The world is falling down. Those are the headlines. They were the headlines in Jesus' day too. Violence. Tragedy. Disaster. Death. People come to Jesus with news that Pilate has killed some Galileans while they were offering sacrifices. It's horrifying. And behind their report seems to be a question. Why? Why did this happen to them? Did they somehow deserve it? Was God judging them? Were they worse than everyone else? Jesus says no. Then he brings up another tragedy. A tower in Siloam collapsed and killed eighteen people. Were they worse sinners than everyone else in Jerusalem? Again, Jesus says no. I think that's important. Because human beings have a long history of trying to make sense of suffering by assigning blame. Something terrible happens, and we want to know whose fault it was. Sometimes religious people take it even further. They tell us that tragedy is God's punishment. That suffering tells us something about the moral worth of the person who suffers. Jesus refuses that explanation. Towers fall. Violence happens. Bodies break. People die. We live in a world that groans. And Jesus doesn't give us an easy explanation for all of it. Instead, he gives us himself. And he announces something new. The kingdom of God is rising up. Look at what happens next. Jesus encounters a woman who has been bent over for eighteen years. Eighteen years. Imagine seeing the world that way for eighteen years. Unable to stand straight. Unable to lift your face. And Jesus sees her. That's important. He sees her. He calls her over. And he says: "Dear woman, you are healed of your sickness!" Then he touches her. And immediately she stands up straight. The world has been pushing her down for eighteen years. Jesus raises her up. That's the kingdom. And when the religious leader objects because Jesus has healed her on the Sabbath, Jesus calls her a daughter of Abraham. He restores more than her body. He restores her place. Her dignity. Her belonging. The world bends people down. The kingdom raises them up. The world says some people don't matter. Jesus sees them. The world creates categories of insiders and outsiders. Jesus calls her daughter. The world is falling down. The kingdom is rising up. And Jesus says the kingdom is like a mustard seed. Tiny. Easy to overlook. But alive. Growing. Becoming a place where birds can find shelter. The kingdom is like yeast hidden in flour. You can't always see it working. But slowly, quietly, it changes everything. I need that word. Because sometimes I look at the world and I see everything that's falling down. War. Violence. Fear. Division. Loneliness. Grief. People bent beneath burdens they've carried for years. And it can seem overwhelming. Maybe you feel that too. But Jesus invites us to look again. Look for the mustard seed. Look for the yeast. Look for the woman standing up straight. Look for mercy. Look for healing. Look for forgiveness. Look for people crossing boundaries to love one another. Look for the quiet work of the Spirit. The kingdom is rising. And Zechariah gives us the same hope. He sees a king coming. But this king doesn't arrive on a war horse. He comes humbly. Riding on a donkey. And Zechariah says this king will bring an end to war. That's the king Jesus chooses to be. He doesn't save the world by becoming more violent than the violent. He doesn't conquer the world by becoming a greater version of Caesar. He comes in humility. He comes in peace. He comes in self-giving love. He comes to raise up those who have been bent down. And ultimately, he enters into the world's death and rises from it. That's our hope. The world is falling down. But death doesn't get the last word. Violence doesn't get the last word. Fear doesn't get the last word. The kingdom of God is rising up. And Jesus invites us to participate in it. To show mercy. To pursue justice. To lift up those who have been bent down. To make room for those who have been pushed aside. To become little mustard seeds of hope. To let the life and love of Christ work through us like yeast in the dough. So don't lose heart. The headlines aren't the whole story. There is another story unfolding. The kingdom is rising. Christ is making all things new. That's the prayer I have for my own soul. That's the prayer I have for my family, for my wife, my daughters, and my son. And that's the prayer I have for you. May we see the kingdom rising in the midst of a world that seems to be falling down. And may we join Jesus in his work of healing, mercy, justice, peace, and love. May it be so. TODAY'S PRAYERS: Lord God Almighty and everlasting father you have brought us in safety to this new day preserve us with your Mighty power that we might not fall into sin or be overcome by adversity. And in all we do, direct us to the fulfilling of your purpose  through Jesus Christ Our Lord amen.   Oh God you have made of one blood all the peoples of the earth and sent your blessed son to preach peace to those who are far and those who are near. Grant that people everywhere may seek after you, and find you. Bring the nations into your fold, pour out your Spirit on all flesh, and hasten the coming of your kingdom through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.   And now Lord,  make me an instrument of your peace.  Where there is hatred let me sow love. Where there is injury, pardon.  Where there is doubt, faith. Where there is despair, hope.  Where there is darkness, light.  And where there is sadness,  Joy.  Oh Lord grant that I might not seek to be consoled as to console. To be understood as to understand, to be loved as to love.  For it is in the giving that we receive, in the pardoning that we are pardoned, it is in the dying that we are born unto eternal life.  Amen And now as our Lord has taught us we are bold to pray... Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven, give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our tresspasses as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not unto temptation, but deliver us from evil, for thine is the Kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen. Loving God, we give you thanks for restoring us in your image. And nourishing us with spiritual food, now send us forth as forgiven people, healed and renewed, that we may proclaim your love to the world, and continue in the risen life of Christ.  Amen.  OUR WEBSITE: www.dailyradiobible.com We are reading through the New Living Translation.   Leave us a voicemail HERE: https://www.speakpipe.com/dailyradiobible Subscribe to us at YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Dailyradiobible/featured OTHER PODCASTS: Listen with Apple Podcast DAILY BIBLE FOR KIDS DAILY PSALMS DAILY PROVERBS DAILY LECTIONARY DAILY CHRONOLOGICAL  

Orignal Postdate: 10-4-2023 === Gospel Luke 9:57-62 As Jesus and his disciples were proceeding on their journey, someone said to him, "I will follow you wherever you go." Jesus answered him, "Foxes have dens and birds of the sky have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to rest his head." And to another he said, "Follow me." But he replied, "Lord, let me go first and bury my father." But he answered him, "Let the dead bury their dead. But you, go and proclaim the Kingdom of God." And another said, "I will follow you, Lord, but first let me say farewell to my family at home." Jesus answered him, "No one who sets a hand to the plow and looks to what was left behind is fit for the Kingdom of God.” Reflection Jesus is on a journey that He knows is the final stage of His ministry. And it's clear that this ministry has consumed Him completely, He has no rest. But what He wants so much is to ignite a fire in His followers that they have that same passion. So they say, I want to follow you. And then he says, Well, then come right now. Come. Don't go back and say goodbye to people. Don't go back and close up something else. No. When you see what you are called to be in me, through me, you will do it instantly and you won't look back. You won't see how it's going. You'll just know that the direction is correct. Closing Prayer Father, enthusiasm is a quality that we are filled with God, filled with His desire to heal, to bring peace, to bring hope to people. Awaken this in us as fully as possible, so that we can feel the importance of this message that we are asked to not just talk about, but to live it. To live in a world where we truly love those who are around us and truly want what's best for them. And we ask this in Jesus' name, Amen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20260930dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross! Philippians 2:5-8 I Yield When my kids were little, I loved roughhousing. ‘Daddy! Daddy! Let’s wrestle!’ they would squeal and giggle. I would body slam, clothesline, piledrive, you name it, and they would tackle and tug with all the might and strength a toddler could muster. Usually, once I tuckered them out, they would pin me down and declare themselves the kings and queens of the ring. I miss those days. Just for the record, and you’ll have to take my word for it, I could’ve beaten them any time, every time. I outweighed them by two hundred pounds. If it were a real fight, they wouldn't have had a chance. But I yielded. I let them win. I let myself be overpowered. When I read our Bible passage today, I think back to those times when I would roughhouse and wrestle with my kids. Jesus didn’t need to submit himself to torture and execution. Jesus didn’t need to let himself be swallowed up by death. But Jesus allowed himself to die so that you and I would be saved from eternal death. He allowed himself to “lose” so that you and I could shout with joy that victory over the grave is ours! He yielded. That’s the best news you’ll hear all day! In your relationships, reflect the attitude of Jesus. Because Jesus has served you by saving you, serve others. And when they ask why, you can tell them what Jesus has done for you and for them. Prayer: Lord Jesus, you are true God, yet you made yourself nothing and went to the cross for me. Forgive me for my stubborn pride. Fill my heart so that I may have the same mindset you displayed—willing to serve, willing to put others first, willing to follow you in humble love. Amen. Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

A declining follower count or an unexpected unfollow can stir up feelings of loneliness, rejection, and insecurity. But our value is not determined by social media approval or by how others choose to treat us. God sees us, loves us, and invites us to bring our hurt to Him. Matthew 7:12 teaches us to treat others the way we want to be treated, both online and in person. While we cannot control other people’s choices, we can choose how we respond when their actions hurt us. Instead of returning rejection with rejection or allowing bitterness to take root, we can seek God’s comfort, practice kindness, and remember that our identity is grounded in Christ. When social media leaves us feeling disconnected or discouraged, God offers refuge, healing, and a love that does not depend on followers, friendships, or approval. Highlights Why being unfollowed or unfriended on social media can trigger feelings of rejection How social media approval can influence the way we view our worth Why our identity and value come from God rather than other people’s opinions What Matthew 7:12 teaches about treating others with kindness online and in person How to bring feelings of hurt, loneliness, and rejection to God Why responding to hurt with kindness is more consistent with following Jesus Encouragement to find comfort in God’s unfailing love when relationships change Want more encouragement throughout your week? Subscribe to The Good Word, LifeAudio’s free weekly newsletter. Sign up at LifeAudio.com/thegoodword Do you want to listen ad-free? When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts! Sign Up Today! Full Transcript Below: Unfollowing Social MediaBy Vivian Bricker Bible Reading:“So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets” (Matthew 7:12). Each time I see my follower count go down on social media, I automatically feel like the little kid I was in sixth grade. My feelings get hurt, and I start feeling bad about myself. Depending on who the person is, it can hurt even worse. Recently, I had someone I thought was a real friend unfollow me. Their unfollowing caught me off guard, but I figured that, like everyone else, they didn’t like me much either. Even though this person chose to unfollow me, I didn’t choose to unfollow them back. Clicking the unfollow button is intentional, often with the thought that you don’t care about the person anymore. Since social media is one of the main ways we connect with others today, unfollowing someone can feel similar to leaving their life and choosing not to engage with them anymore. Even though I am an adult and I’m doing better mentally than I have in a long time, I cannot shake the pain it brings when someone I thought was a friend disconnects from my life. However, while talking with a wise friend, she told me that they were never really my friends to begin with. This was the second time someone had said something like this to me, which showed me that God was trying to tell me something. We don’t need to seek approval from humankind. Instead, we must remember that God already accepts us as we are. If other people don’t like us, that’s okay. And if they are offended when we share our honest feelings, then that’s okay, too. However, that doesn’t mean what they did didn’t hurt us. In truth, when a friend unfollows us, it can make us feel worthless. Bring these feelings to God and set them at His feet (1 Peter 5:7). Tell Him how their words and actions hurt your feelings. It is enough to say, “Lord, my friend unfollowed me, and it makes me feel awful.” God will meet you where you are and cover you with His support. As the Bible says, “He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart” (Psalm 91:4). Intersecting Faith & Life: The Lord tells us, “So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets” (Matthew 7:12). This passage is now known as the “Golden Rule.” It is often taught in schools to help children learn how to treat others well. As followers of the Lord, He doesn’t want us to hurt others with our actions. He wants us to extend kindness, love, and support. Even if other people hurt us, we must turn the other cheek (Matthew 5:38-40). Just because they are mean and hurtful toward us doesn’t mean we need to return the pain (1 Peter 3:9). If we don’t want others to be mean to us, unfollow us, or unfriend us, we don’t need to do those things to others. By filtering our actions and words through the Word of God, we will be able to truly shine brightly for Jesus. Has anyone ever unfollowed you? How did that make you feel? How can you start treating others the way you want to be treated, both in person and online? Pray with me: Dear Jesus, other people have unfollowed me on social media in the past, and it is very hurtful. It makes me feel like I’m worthless. Please help me to remember that my worth is in You and that You will love me always. Help to turn my heart away from evil and turn it toward You. Equip my heart with the ability to treat others the way I want to be treated and to repay evil with blessing. In Your Name, I pray, Amen. Further Reading: Psalm 34:18 Psalm 55:22 Matthew 11:28-30 Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Jesus' words in Luke 14 can sound shocking: “If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even their own life—such a person cannot be my disciple.” In today's episode of the MY Devotional Podcast, Dr. Michael Youssef explains that Jesus is not commanding hatred, but establishing the proper order of our loves.Our devotion to Christ must be so great that every other relationship is held with an open hand. Family, friends, and even our own desires matter deeply—but none can take the place that belongs to Jesus alone. He is not looking for half-hearted discipleship or convenient faith. He calls us to recognize Him as sovereign Lord, Master, and King.Dr. Youssef also unpacks Jesus' command to carry our cross and follow Him. The cross is more than a difficult circumstance; it is a picture of dying to self. Discipleship means surrendering our demand for control, laying down our own agenda, and bringing every part of life into conformity with Christ.And paradoxically, loving Jesus above all else enables us to love others more deeply. As we sit at His feet, study His Word, renew our minds, and grow in grace, He reshapes our hearts so that our love for family, neighbors, and even enemies begins to reflect His own.Let us pray.Jesus, help me to more fully understand Your calling on my life. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen. The voice you hear on the MY Devotional podcast is digitally generated with Dr. Youssef's permission. If today's devotional stirred a question, burden, or need for prayer, you don't have to walk through it alone.

Are you happy with your prayer life? Do you pray as much as you know you should or wish you could? I believe when you learn to incorporate prayer into your daily lifestyle, your prayer time and effectiveness will increase greatly. Here's how it works to pray continually. You must become intentional about practicing the presence of Jesus. That means, you must determine to be aware—at all times and in all places—that because you are a Christ-follower and have been born again, you are surrounded with the presence of Jesus all day, every day, 24/7. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, you have him with you at all times; the problem for us is we all too often don't recognize or acknowledge his presence. For example, let's say you have a really close friend or family member—that person on this earth closest to you. You are with them as often as possible, and when you are with them, you communicate. You share the problems and issues of your life, but you also share the joys. You laugh together; you cry together; sometimes you're just silent together, but that person's presence is there with you. This is not a perfect analogy, but just consider that Jesus is your best friend, your closest companion, your confidant. And, unlike earthly companions, he is with you 24/7. You're never away from him. So, if you are aware that he is there, what are you likely to do? You're going to talk with him, right? Whatever is happening to you in your day, you're going to share it with Jesus. When you need help or guidance, he's right there to show you the way. When you see something beautiful, he loves you to share that experience with him. When something makes you laugh, he laughs with you. When sorrow fills your heart, he cries with you. This is the meaning of praying continually—praying at all times. As you develop awareness of his presence, then boldly and confidently talk to him throughout your days—all days, everywhere. Just simply take advantage of your privilege of praying in the flow of life, and as you learn to do this, you are learning what it means to pray without ceasing. You never cut off the communication with Jesus. You don't have to say “Amen,” meaning this is the end of my prayer time, and I'll come back later. You just keep the conversation going all the time. And the good news is, you can pray with eyes open or closed, by yourself or in a crowd, out loud or silently. Prayer is not limited by any of our usual prayer routines; we can truly pray continually, and what an incredible blessing and privilege that is.

Evolutionists often claim that evolution can produce living things that look as if they are designed. This is their way of answering arguments that things that look designed don't need a Designer. In January of 2000, however, a paleontologist and an astronomer teamed up to publish a book that says that conditions on earth are unique - there is probably no other life like us in the universe. (We do need to keep in mind, however, that they write from an evolutionary perspective.)Scientists Peter D. Ward and Donald C. Brownlee concluded that conditions could exist elsewhere in the universe that could support microbes. But there may be nowhere else in the universe that life above that level might exist. First, we can rule out life near the centers of galaxies because lethal levels of several types of radiation exist there. The scientists conclude that the earth is perfectly placed for intelligent life. Our moon is just the right size to control our climate, tilt and tides. The planet Jupiter acts as a giant shield to protect us from meteors and asteroids, and it, like the earth, has an orbit that does not threaten other planets. Our sun is a heavy-element star with a rare elliptical orbit. And earth's atmosphere has a carefully balanced mix of elements with just enough carbon to support life.Biological evolution cannot explain these delicate and unusual designs, but the designs can easily be accounted for if they came from the hand of an all-wise, all-knowing Creator.Isaiah 45:12“I have made the earth, and created man upon it: I, even my hands, have stretched out the heavens, and all their host have I commanded.”Prayer: In wonder and awe, I praise You, dear Father, for Your creation. Amen.REF.: World, "Custom-made Earth: OK, but who made it?" To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1232/29?v=20251111

Continuing our week solely focused on worship, today we will experience Psalm 34.Be present. Be all in on this moment. No distractions. Listen with your ears and your heart. Let's experience His Word and our worship together.Psalm 34‚ NLTI will praise the Lord at all times. I will constantly speak his praises.I will boast only in the Lord; let all who are helpless take heart.Come, let us tell of the Lord's greatness; let us exalt his name together.I prayed to the Lord, and he answered me. He freed me from all my fears.Those who look to him for help will be radiant with joy; no shadow of shame will darken their faces.In my desperation I prayed, and the Lord listened; he saved me from all my troubles.For the angel of the Lord is a guard; he surrounds and defends all who fear him.Taste and see that the Lord is good. Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in him!Fear the Lord, you his godly people, for those who fear him will have all they need.Even strong young lions sometimes go hungry, but those who trust in the Lord will lack no good thing.Come, my children, and listen to me, and I will teach you to fear the Lord.Does anyone want to live a life that is long and prosperous?Then keep your tongue from speaking evil and your lips from telling lies!Turn away from evil and do good.  Search for peace, and work to maintain it.The eyes of the Lord watch over those who do right; his ears are open to their cries for help.But the Lord turns his face against those who do evil; he will erase their memory from the earth.The Lord hears his people when they call to him for help.He rescues them from all their troubles.The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed.The righteous person faces many troubles, but the Lord comes to the rescue each time.… the Lord will redeem those who serve him.Just as David did here, when was the last time you bragged on God?When was the last time you shared with someone what He has done for you?Listen again to the final words of this passage as I personalize David's words for us.The Lord hears me when I call to him for help.He rescues me from all my troubles.The Lord is close to me when my heart is broken; he rescues me when my spirit is crushed.I may face many troubles, but the Lord comes to the rescue each time.Let's pray just as we have worshipped: “Father God, thank You for being our guard who surrounds and defends. Thank You that You watch over us and hear us. Thank You that You are close to the brokenhearted and though we face troubles, You will rescue like the good Father You are. As above, so below.” - Amen

At Times, Are You Unrepentant in Your Spiritual Life and, Therefore, “storing up wrath for yourself on the {Judgement} day of wrath”? MESSAGE SUMMARY: Penitence is not a once in a lifetime occurrence. Penitence is a daily and moment by moment occurrence. None of us is perfect, and not one of us always does the will of God. Paul, in Romans 2:4-5, is unequivocal in establishing the need for your continuing penitence and the consequences of your not repenting of your sins on a real-time basis: “Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God's kindness is meant to lead you to repentance? But because of your hard and impenitent heart you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath when God's righteous judgment will be revealed.". Therefore, we all need to repent and return to the Lord. You can become cocky and arrogant in your spiritual life – “I am a Christian; God has done this for me.”. As the Psalmist tells us in Psalms 32:5 of his confession and his penitence: “I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not cover my iniquity; I said, ‘I will confess my transgressions to the LORD,' and you forgave the iniquity of my sin.". You can rest on our perceived laurels; but these perceptions, of personal goodness and righteousness, can lead you quickly to a need for your penitence.     TODAY'S PRAYER: Most merciful God I confess that I have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what I have done, and by what I have left undone. I have not loved you with my whole heart; I have not loved my neighbors as myself. I am truly sorry and I humbly repent. For the sake of your son Jesus Christ, have mercy on me and forgive me; that I might delight in your will, and walk in your ways, to the glory of Your Name. Amen.  TODAY'S AFFIRMATION: Today, I affirm that, because I am in Jesus Christ, I will rejoice in Him (Philippians 4:4). “I can do everything through Him who gives me strength.”. (Philippians 4:14). SCRIPTURE REFERENCE (ESV): Mathew 3:8-11; Romans 2:4-5; 2 Corinthians 7:10; Psalms 140:1-13. A WORD FROM THE LORD WEBSITE: www.AWFTL.org. THIS SUNDAY'S AUDIO SERMON: You can listen to Archbishop Beach's Current Sunday Sermon:  “Remembering “he who is forgiven little, loves little”, Is Your Focus Outward in the Love and Service of Others?”, at our Website: https://awordfromthelord.org/listen/ DONATE TO AWFTL: https://mygiving.secure.force.com/GXDonateNow?id=a0Ui000000DglsqEAB

Daily Dose of Hope September 30, 2026   Scripture: Genesis 38   Prayer:  Holy God, We come before you this morning in awe of your blessings and love.  Thank you, Lord, for the ways you continue to guide our lives.  Lord, we are desperate to know you better.  In these next few moments of silence, Jesus, please speak to us.  We need to hear your voice...  In Your Name, Amen.   Welcome to the Daily Dose of Hope, the devotional and podcast that complements the New Hope daily Bible reading plan.  We are doing a deep dive into the book of Genesis, followed by the book of Exodus.  Today's reading is Genesis 38.   The story takes a break from Joseph and turns to Judah, his older brother.  Judah was a businessman of sorts, he leaves his home and family for financial reasons we assume. He moves away from his Hebrew roots to a Canaanite town. Not surprisingly, he ends up marrying a Canaanite woman. Why is this an issue? As we have mentioned before, the Canaanites worshiped other gods.  There was no way this wouldn't seep into the family life of Judah.  The whole chapter sees Judah's moral decline.   Judah arranged for his oldest son, Er, to marry a young woman named Tamar. But Er was a wicked man in the Lord's sight, so the Lord took his life.  Judah told Er's younger brother Onan to marry Tamar.  At the time, they practiced Levirate marriage, which meant if a man died before he produced a male heir, then the next oldest brother would sleep with his sister-in-law to try to produce an heir. The baby would then be considered a child of the dead brother. This may sound weird to us but it was one of several systems that God put in place to ensure that the most vulnerable segments of society would be cared for.    Onan didn't want to have a child who would not be his own heir.  So whenever he had sex with Tamar, he spilled the semen on the ground. This prevented her from having a child who would belong to his brother. And the Lord considered Onan evil for doing this, so he killed him too.   Judah decides he doesn't want to risk his third son with Tamar. If Shelah dies, then Judah will be without heirs, and any inheritance he may gain from Jacob will be lost. So he misleads Tamar into waiting until Shelah is grown up. I'm not sure that we can understand the significance of this. This was a grave sin, denying Tamar the ability to have a husband, a male heir or any kind of meaningful life. He doesn't release her from the marriage -he tells her to go live as a widow which means she could not remarry - but he doesn't offer her the option of his third son. Tamar is in a no win situation here. Doomed to live a life of poverty and/or prostitution.   Tamar has taken matters into her own hands. Judah has basically abandoned her. Years have gone by, Shelah the third son is definitely marrying age and Judah has never sent for Tamar. She knows he isn't planning to, nor is he planning to release her from living as a widow. She knows that her fate isn't good unless she does something drastic. So she takes off her widow's clothing and dresses like a prostitute. She hangs out where her father-in-law will see her and he propositions her. So, this gives us more insight into Judah's character. Maybe he frequented prostitutes, Tamar must have somehow known that he would be willing to solicit her.   And Tamar ends up pregnant.  Judah finds out and he is ready to execute Tamar.  In the end, when Judah finds that he was the guy who got his daughter in law pregnant, he declares her righteous. Even though she was deceptive, she was the one who managed to continue to family line.)  Okay, so this whole scenario seems dysfunctional, right? Evil sons, so evil that God kills them. A conniving father-in-law who doesn't care for the well-being of his daughter in law or his family line. A desperate daughter in law who pretends to be a prostitute so her father-in-law can get her pregnant. It all sounds a bit weird. So, what are we to make of this? Why was this included in God's whole story of redemption?   Here are some thoughts:   o   Judah leaves his family, leaves all Godly influence, and moves to Canaan. The further we move away from Godly community, the further we will move from God. There is a purpose in gathering with other believers, having a community of worship. We are a forgetful people and we need to be reminded who and whose we are. Judah clearly forgot this. o    The culture of the near east during this time period left much to be desired. Women, children, foreigners were highly vulnerable. They had zero social status and could easily be abused and maligned. God put some structures in place to ensure the care of the most vulnerable - Levirate marriage, gleaning; the prophets spoke out about mistreatment of the poor, the Old Testament clearly speaks of taking care of widows and orphans. Jesus walked closely to the poor, the needy, the oppressed, the outcast. Clearly, God cares for those who are needy and vulnerable and the expectation is that we will as well.  o   Finally, this story really demonstrates how God uses broken, messed up people to achieve his purposes. Judah was far from Godly. Tamar, though God called her righteous and she was certainly courageous, she was still a bit deceptive and scrappy. And yet God chose these two people to carry on the line of Jacob. It was the union of these two flawed individuals that produced an heir in the direct line of Jesus. If you look at Matthew 1, Tamar is the first of four women specifically mentioned by name in the genealogy of Jesus Christ. God could have chosen anyone...but he chose them. I love this because it demonstrates how God uses sinful people, flawed people, broken people, people with baggage, people who have failed, people who weren't the best and brightest, imperfect people like you and me, to achieve his purposes. We may not have a great past. We might not even have a super present, but he wants to use us, flaws and all, to expand his Kingdom, to carry out his mission in the world.   Blessings, Pastor Vicki  

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20260930dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross! Philippians 2:5-8 I Yield When my kids were little, I loved roughhousing. ‘Daddy! Daddy! Let’s wrestle!’ they would squeal and giggle. I would body slam, clothesline, piledrive, you name it, and they would tackle and tug with all the might and strength a toddler could muster. Usually, once I tuckered them out, they would pin me down and declare themselves the kings and queens of the ring. I miss those days. Just for the record, and you’ll have to take my word for it, I could’ve beaten them any time, every time. I outweighed them by two hundred pounds. If it were a real fight, they wouldn't have had a chance. But I yielded. I let them win. I let myself be overpowered. When I read our Bible passage today, I think back to those times when I would roughhouse and wrestle with my kids. Jesus didn’t need to submit himself to torture and execution. Jesus didn’t need to let himself be swallowed up by death. But Jesus allowed himself to die so that you and I would be saved from eternal death. He allowed himself to “lose” so that you and I could shout with joy that victory over the grave is ours! He yielded. That’s the best news you’ll hear all day! In your relationships, reflect the attitude of Jesus. Because Jesus has served you by saving you, serve others. And when they ask why, you can tell them what Jesus has done for you and for them. Prayer: Lord Jesus, you are true God, yet you made yourself nothing and went to the cross for me. Forgive me for my stubborn pride. Fill my heart so that I may have the same mindset you displayed—willing to serve, willing to put others first, willing to follow you in humble love. Amen. Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

Wednesday, 30 September 2026   But all their works they do to be seen by men. They make their phylacteries broad and enlarge the borders of their garments. Matthew 23:5   “All, also, the ‘deeds, theirs', they do to ‘see', the men. They widen, also, the ‘phylacteries, theirs', and they enlarge the ‘tassels, the cloaks, theirs'.” (CG)   In the previous verse, Jesus noted that the scribes and Pharisees bind heavy burdens on the shoulders of men, but they are unwilling to move them with one of their own fingers. He continues excoriating them, saying, “All, also, the ‘deeds, theirs', they do to ‘see', the men.”   Jesus speaks of this elsewhere, such as people making long, showy prayers for everyone to hear. Some people have attention magnets stuck all over them, begging for everyone around them to see them and notice how interesting and important they are... in their own eyes.   The scribes and Pharisees were a lot like this, wanting everyone to notice them and everything they did. Their deeds were calculated for maximum exposure to the eyes around them. If they brought gifts to the temple, they were the types who would gladly tie bells to them so that with every step they took, the bells would ring and their offering would be seen by everyone – ohhhh, ahhhhh.   You know the types. They fill many churches around the world today. It is a ‘me-centered' religion, even if it supposedly is directed toward the Lord. Jesus continues, saying, “They widen, also, the ‘phylacteries, theirs'.”   A couple of new words are seen. The first is platunó, to widen, make broad, enlarge, etc. It can be used figuratively, as in opening wide one's affections. The next new word is phulaktérion. Vincent's Word Studies describes these –   Phylacteries, called by the Rabbis tephillin, prayer-fillets, were worn on the left arm, toward the heart, and on the forehead. They were capsules containing on parchment these four passages of Scripture: Exodus 13:1-10; Exodus 13:11-16; Deuteronomy 6:4-9; Deuteronomy 11:13-21. That for the head was to consist of a box with four compartments, each containing a slip of parchment inscribed with one of the four passages. Each of these slips was to be tied up with well-washed hair from a calf's tail; lest, if tied with wool or thread, any fungoid growth should ever pollute them. The phylactery of the arm was to contain a single slip, with the same four passages written in four columns of seven lines each. The black leather straps by which they were fastened were wound seven times round the arm and three times round the hand. They were reverenced by the Rabbis as highly as the scriptures, and, like them, might be rescued from the flames on a Sabbath. They profanely imagined that God wore the tephillin.   Jesus next says, “and they enlarge the ‘tassels, the cloaks, theirs'.”   Another new word is seen, megalunó. It signifies to make or declare great. As such, it can signify to exalt or magnify. In this case, the tassels they were commanded to wear on their garments according to the law were made into long, showy tassels. One gets the sense of “Hey, look at how religious I am! I have super long tassels, proving that I am super fulfilling the law mandated by the Lord through Moses.”   One can almost see them hoping for people to come and get their autographs.   Life application: If you have faith in the Lord, and if you are truly in love with Him and what He has done for you, what more do you need in regard to man's approval? The answer should be obvious. You don't need it.   When you have the favor of the King of the universe, there is no need to impress others. Rather, you can spend your time working on a proper relationship with Him. When you fail in one way or another, you are still motivated to work on the relationship through acknowledging your faults and moving on.   If you are living your life in this manner, you will find there is neither the time nor the need to impress others. Be content in your faith, and live your life for the Lord. That is a life well spent.   O God, how wonderful it is to know You and to share in Your goodness. Help us to not seek the world's attention or try to impress others with our faith, except as they want to know why we are filled with joy. In this, may others want to know You personally and intimately. May it be so, to Your glory. Amen.

How do we hold onto a vision of goodness, healing, and new creation when the powers of the world seem so good at resisting—or even absorbing—every attempt to change it? In the final sermon of our Between Two Trees series, Jason returns to the closing words of Revelation and discovers something surprising: after giving the church this enormous vision of a world made new, John doesn't end with a strategy, a program, or a to-do list. He ends with a prayer: “Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.” Maybe the future Revelation imagines isn't something we can manufacture. Maybe the church doesn't need more cleverness, better programs, or greater effort as much as we need more of Jesus. Together, we pray John's final prayer over ourselves, our relationships, our neighborhoods, our work, our politics, and our church—and then hear Jesus' invitation in return: “Let the one who is thirsty come.” The Bible ends not with something for us to accomplish, but with an invitation to trust, receive, and pray: Come, Lord Jesus.

13 You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt lose its savour, wherewith shall it be salted? It is good for nothing any more but to be cast out, and to be trodden on by men.Vos estis sal terrae. Quod si sal evanuerit, in quo salietur? ad nihilum valet ultra, nisi ut mittatur foras, et conculcetur ab hominibus. 14 You are the light of the world. A city seated on a mountain cannot be hid.Vos estis lux mundi. Non potest civitas abscondi supra montem posita, 15 Neither do men light a candle and put it under a bushel, but upon a candlestick, that it may shine to all that are in the house.neque accedunt lucernam, et ponunt eam sub modio, sed super candelabrum, ut luceat omnibus qui in domo sunt. 16 So let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.Sic luceat lux vestra coram hominibus : ut videant opera vestra bona, et glorificent Patrem vestrum, qui in caelis est. 17 Do not think that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets. I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill.Nolite putare quoniam veni solvere legem, aut prophetas : non veni solvere, sed adimplere. 18 For amen I say unto you, till heaven and earth pass, one jot, or one tittle shall not pass of the law, till all be fulfilled.Amen quippe dico vobis, donec transeat caelum et terra, jota unum aut unus apex non praeteribit a lege, donec omnia fiant. 19 He therefore that shall break one of these least commandments, and shall so teach men, shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven. But he that shall do and teach, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.Qui ergo solverit unum de mandatis istis minimis, et docuerit sic homines, minimus vocabitur in regno caelorum : qui autem fecerit et docuerit, hic magnus vocabitur in regno caelorum.[17] "To fulfill": By accomplishing all the figures and prophecies; and perfecting all that was imperfect.[18] "Amen": That is, assuredly of a truth. This Hebrew word, amen, is here retained by the example and authority of all the four Evangelists. It is used by our Lord as a strong asseveration, and affirmation of the truth.St Jerome was born in Dalmatia, and educated in Rome, but he was soon led into the gravest disorders. He was inspried by heaven and was converted and became one of the greatest Doctors of the Church, famous for his translation into Latin (the Vulgate) of the Holy Scriptures. He retired into a monastery at Bethlehem and died in 420 A.D.

We're continuing our Gifts of the Spirit campaign, exploring the gifts God has given to His people and how we can use them to build up the Church. This week, we're looking at Faith, Gifts of Healing & Miraculous Powers and what the Bible teaches us about these gifts of the Holy Spirit.Whether you're with us in the room or watching online, we hope you're encouraged and inspired as we worship together.Please follow along with our YouVersion Bible app event here: https://bible.com/events/49667999Click http://bcc.life/whats-on to find out about all our events and activities.Click http://bcc.life/give to access our giving page, where you can return your tithes to God, bring an offering or make a donation!https://linktr.ee/bcclifeIf you ever need to know how to make Jesus the Lord of your life and come home to Father God, here is a great prayer you can pray:"Lord Jesus, I am so sorry for my wrongdoing. Please forgive me for being separated from you and from other people. I receive into you my life as Lord. Please lead me from now on. I surrender to you. I believe that you died on the cross to take away my sins, that you rose again on the third day and that you are alive and with me now. I accept you into my life. Please help me to live for you. Thank you for your gift of eternal life for now and for ever. Amen."If you prayed this prayer, please let us know! It's the best decision you can ever make, and we would love to celebrate that with you! Let us know in the chat session of the livestream, email us at admin@bcc.life! or visit https://bit.ly/BCC-FollowJesus Comments are closed but we do invite you to email us at admin@bcc.life if you would like to communicate with us or via our Business WhatsApp which you can access from the home page of our website at: http://bcc.life/

Sitting on a porch in Peñuelas, Puerto Rico, a woman shared through a gifted translator that she had been praying for over a year for someone to come and fix her roof. She had never imagined the answer would arrive in the form of a group of people from South Carolina — but that is how God works sometimes, on a different timeline and by a different method than we could have anticipated. For the person listening, who had grown frustrated after only a few weeks of waiting for clarity about a career decision, the Holy Spirit used that moment to do something quietly convicting. Habakkuk 3:16 captures what honest, faithful waiting actually looks like in the body: heart pounding, lips quivering, legs trembling — and yet, still choosing to wait patiently for God to act. Habakkuk cried out to God for relief from the pain and suffering he witnessed, received an answer on God's timeline and for God's purposes, and ultimately chose trust over certainty. Some of his prayers were not answered in his lifetime. Yet in the final verses of his book, he declared that he would rejoice in the Lord regardless. That is not passive resignation. It is one of the most active and courageous postures of faith available to a believer. Waiting well does not mean waiting without feeling — it means choosing, in the middle of uncertainty and the very human desire to take matters into our own hands, to trust the God who is always working all things for our good and His glory. Bible Verse "Yet I will wait patiently for the day of calamity to come on the nation invading us."— Habakkuk 3:16, NIV Ponder Today God's timeline and method are rarely what we imagined — and they are always right. A year of prayer answered by strangers from another state. A career question that feels urgent to us and unhurried to God. His ways are higher, and His timing is perfect, even when it does not align with our expectations. Waiting well is an active choice made in the middle of trembling. Habakkuk's heart pounded and his legs shook — and he still chose to wait. Faithful waiting does not require the absence of fear or frustration. It requires the decision to trust despite them. The temptation to take matters into our own hands is one of waiting's greatest dangers. When uncertainty persists and answers seem slow, the pull toward control is strong. Asking God for patience specifically in those moments is both honest and wise. Some prayers are not answered this side of eternity — and God is still faithful. Habakkuk's prayer was not resolved in his lifetime. That did not make God unfaithful. Romans 8:28 assures us that He is always working all things for our good and His glory, even when we cannot see how. Remembering God's past faithfulness is one of the most powerful tools for waiting well. When anxiety rises and answers feel absent, turning back to what God has already done reinforces what we believe about who He is — a God who keeps His promises, yesterday, today, and for all eternity. A Prayer for You Today Heavenly Father, You are a God who sees Your people and hears their prayers. You are always present, always listening, and always actively working on my behalf for my good and Your glory. Please help me to wait well. You know Your creation and fully understand that in my humanity I struggle with control, and my lack of knowing can lead me to fear and anxiety. When I am tempted to manipulate or take matters into my own hands, please grant me patience. Help me feel at peace, rid my heart and mind of anxious thoughts, and give me the strength to wait patiently. And if the answer to my prayer does not come during my time on earth, let me remember Your past faithfulness. You are a God who keeps Your promises, yesterday, today, and for all eternity. I love You, Lord. In Jesus' name, Amen. Want More? Sign up for our free newsletter, The Good Word, for weekly biblical wisdom and encouragement delivered right to your inbox. Join our community today: https://www.lifeaudio.com/thegoodword/ Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

All Home Care Matters and our host, Lance A. Slatton, were honored to welcome Dr. Hussen Amen, board-certified family medicine physician and founder of Amen Family Medicine, as a guest to the show. In this important conversation, Dr. Amen joins Lance to discuss the role proactive primary care can play in helping older adults maintain their health, independence, and quality of life while safely aging in place. The discussion explores the Medicare Annual Wellness Visit and why it is different from a traditional physical, as well as some of the important health concerns primary care physicians look for as patients age. Dr. Amen shares valuable insight into fall prevention, changes in mobility, memory and cognitive concerns, medication management and polypharmacy, preventive screenings, nutrition, advance care planning, and the importance of identifying subtle health changes before they develop into a medical crisis. Lance and Dr. Amen also discuss the important role family caregivers can play as part of a loved one's healthcare team and why establishing a strong relationship with a trusted primary care physician before a crisis occurs can make a meaningful difference. For older adults and their families, proactive healthcare is about more than treating illness. It is about prevention, early detection, communication, and helping individuals remain as healthy and independent as possible. About Dr. Hussen Amen: Dr. Hussen Amen is a board-certified family medicine physician and the founder of Amen Family Medicine, an independent primary care practice in Livonia, Michigan. A Metro Detroit native who grew up in Dearborn, Dr. Amen earned his bachelor's degree in Nutrition and Food Science from Wayne State University before receiving his medical degree from St. George's University School of Medicine. He completed his Family Medicine residency at Trinity Health Livonia, where he continues to maintain hospital privileges. Living with Type 1 diabetes since childhood has given Dr. Amen a unique perspective on the patient experience and the importance of preventive, relationship-centered care. His clinical interests include preventive medicine, chronic disease management, sports medicine, and point-of-care ultrasound. He is passionate about helping patients stay healthy, maintain their independence, and avoid preventable hospitalizations through proactive primary care and patient education. About Amen Family Medicine: Amen Family Medicine is an independent primary care practice located in Livonia, Michigan, founded by Dr. Hussen Amen with the mission of providing personalized, relationship-centered healthcare for patients of all ages. As a privately owned practice, Amen Family Medicine focuses on building lasting relationships with patients while delivering accessible, evidence-based care tailored to each individual's needs. The practice offers comprehensive family medicine services including preventive care, annual wellness visits, chronic disease management, same-day sick visits, women's health, pediatric care, sports medicine, and minor office procedures. Amen Family Medicine also provides in-office digital X-ray, point-of-care ultrasound, laboratory services, EKGs, and ultrasound-guided procedures, allowing many conditions to be evaluated and treated conveniently under one roof. For older adults, the practice emphasizes preventive care, medication management, fall prevention, cognitive screening, and coordination with caregivers and specialists to help patients maintain their health, independence, and quality of life. At Amen Family Medicine, the philosophy is that primary care should be proactive rather than reactive.  

Click here for the DRB Daily Sign Up form! TODAY'S SCRIPTURE: Zechariah 4–6; Luke 12 Click HERE to give! One Year Bible Podcast: Join Hunter and Heather Barnes on the Daily Radio Bible, a daily Bible‑in‑a‑year podcast with 20‑minute Scripture readings, Christ‑centered devotion, and guided prayer.This daily Bible reading and devotional invites you to live as a citizen of Jesus' kingdom, reconciled, renewed, and deeply loved. TODAY'S EPISODE Welcome to the Daily Radio Bible. Today is September 29th, and our readings are Zechariah 4–6 and Luke 12. Zechariah continues his strange and beautiful visions. God's people have returned from exile. The temple lies unfinished. The task before Zerubbabel must have seemed enormous. And into that uncertainty comes one of Scripture's great words: "It is not by force nor by strength, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of Heaven's Armies." Not by might. Not by power. But by my Spirit. Then we come to Luke 12, where Jesus warns us about another kind of power. The power of possessions. The illusion of control. The anxiety that tells us we must accumulate enough, protect enough, and plan enough to make ourselves secure. Jesus tells the story of a rich man who has so much that he decides to tear down his barns and build bigger ones. But Jesus reminds us that life cannot be secured in a barn. And then he turns toward his disciples and says: "Don't be afraid, little flock. For it gives your Father great happiness to give you the Kingdom." Maybe that's the word for us today. Not by might. Not by power. Not by bigger barns. Not by controlling everything around us. But by the Spirit. And by trusting the heart of the Father who delights in giving us the kingdom. TODAY'S DEVOTION Not by Might, Not by Power We like big barns. Maybe we don't call them barns anymore. But we like them. We like bank accounts. Retirement accounts. Houses. Careers. Platforms. Reputations. Plans. We like whatever gives us the feeling that we've finally managed to secure our lives. And to be clear, there's nothing wrong with planning. There's nothing wrong with saving. There's nothing wrong with being responsible. But Jesus knows how easily these good things can become something else. They can become the place where we look for life. Jesus tells a story about a man whose land produces an enormous harvest. The man looks at everything he has and says: What am I going to do? I don't have room for all this. And then he comes up with a plan. "I know! I'll tear down my barns and build bigger ones." Bigger barns. More storage. More security. More control. And then he says something revealing. He tells himself that once he has enough stored away, he can finally relax. Now I'll be safe. Now I'll be secure. Now I can live. But Jesus says: That's an illusion. Because your life isn't stored in your barns. Your life isn't stored in your bank account. Your life isn't stored in your reputation. Your life isn't stored in how much control you can exercise over the future. Your life is in God. And that brings me back to Zechariah. Zerubbabel has been given an enormous task. The temple must be rebuilt. The mountain in front of him looks overwhelming. And God's word to him is: "Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit." I need to hear that. Because I can spend a lot of energy trying to make things happen. Trying to manage outcomes. Trying to get everything lined up just right. Trying to build a big enough barn so that nothing unexpected can hurt me. Maybe you know that feeling too. If I can just get enough money. If I can just get the right job. If I can just get everyone to understand me. If I can just fix this relationship. If I can just get my health under control. If I can just make sure my children are okay. If I can just figure out what's coming next. Then I can breathe. Then I'll be safe. Then I'll have peace. But Jesus doesn't point us toward bigger barns. He points us toward the Father. And then he says something so tender: "Don't be afraid, little flock." I love that. Don't be afraid, little flock. Why? Because you've figured everything out? No. Because you've accumulated enough? No. Because you've protected yourself from every possible loss? No. "Because it gives your Father great happiness to give you the Kingdom." There it is. Gift. The kingdom is gift. Life is gift. Grace is gift. God himself is gift. And the Spirit is at work in us and around us in ways we cannot manufacture or control. Not by might. Not by power. But by my Spirit. Maybe that's the invitation today. Open your hands. Release your grip. Let go of the illusion that everything depends on you. You don't have to build a barn big enough to hold your future. You don't have to possess enough to become secure. You don't have to control everyone and everything around you. You have a Father who delights to give you the kingdom. And maybe the Spirit is whispering to us today: You can breathe. You can trust. You can let go. You are held. Jesus tells us to look at the ravens. Look at the lilies. Look at creation itself. God is present. God is giving. God is sustaining. And you are worth far more to him than birds and flowers. So maybe today we can stop measuring our lives by what we've managed to accumulate, achieve, or control. Maybe we can open our hands. Not by might. Not by power. Not by bigger barns. But by the Spirit. And maybe we'll discover that the life we've been trying so hard to secure has been gift all along. That's the prayer I have for my own soul. That's the prayer I have for my family, for my wife, my daughters, and my son. And that's the prayer I have for you. May we loosen our grip. May we trust the Spirit. May we hear Jesus say again, "Don't be afraid, little flock." And may we discover the joy of receiving the kingdom as gift. May it be so. TODAY'S PRAYERS: Lord God Almighty and everlasting father you have brought us in safety to this new day preserve us with your Mighty power that we might not fall into sin or be overcome by adversity. And in all we do, direct us to the fulfilling of your purpose  through Jesus Christ Our Lord amen.   Oh God you have made of one blood all the peoples of the earth and sent your blessed son to preach peace to those who are far and those who are near. Grant that people everywhere may seek after you, and find you. Bring the nations into your fold, pour out your Spirit on all flesh, and hasten the coming of your kingdom through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.   And now Lord,  make me an instrument of your peace.  Where there is hatred let me sow love. Where there is injury, pardon.  Where there is doubt, faith. Where there is despair, hope.  Where there is darkness, light.  And where there is sadness,  Joy.  Oh Lord grant that I might not seek to be consoled as to console. To be understood as to understand, to be loved as to love.  For it is in the giving that we receive, in the pardoning that we are pardoned, it is in the dying that we are born unto eternal life.  Amen And now as our Lord has taught us we are bold to pray... Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven, give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our tresspasses as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not unto temptation, but deliver us from evil, for thine is the Kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen. Loving God, we give you thanks for restoring us in your image. And nourishing us with spiritual food, now send us forth as forgiven people, healed and renewed, that we may proclaim your love to the world, and continue in the risen life of Christ.  Amen.  OUR WEBSITE: www.dailyradiobible.com We are reading through the New Living Translation.   Leave us a voicemail HERE: https://www.speakpipe.com/dailyradiobible Subscribe to us at YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Dailyradiobible/featured OTHER PODCASTS: Listen with Apple Podcast DAILY BIBLE FOR KIDS DAILY PSALMS DAILY PROVERBS DAILY LECTIONARY DAILY CHRONOLOGICAL  

Today’s Topics: 1, 2, 3, 4) Gospel – John 1:47-51 – Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward Him and said of him, “Here is a true child of Israel. There is no duplicity in him.” Nathanael said to Him, “How do You know me?” Jesus answered and said to him, “Before Philip called you, I saw you under the fig tree.” Nathanael answered Him, “Rabbi, You are the Son of God; You are the King of Israel.” Jesus answered and said to him, “Do you believe because I told you that I saw you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than this.” And He said to him, “Amen, amen, I say to you, you will see heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.” Feast of Saints Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael, Archangels Saints Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael, pray for us!Bishop Sheen quote of the day

Original Postdate: 09-29-2023 === Gospel  John 1:47-51 Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him and said of him, "Here is a true child of Israel. There is no duplicity in him." Nathanael said to him, "How do you know me?" Jesus answered and said to him, "Before Philip called you, I saw you under the fig tree." Nathanael answered him, "Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel." Jesus answered and said to him, "Do you believe because I told you that I saw you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than this." And he said to him, "Amen, amen, I say to you, you will see heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man." Reflection When John speaks of the son of man, he's talking about the humanity of Jesus. Jesus the model of our humanity. And when Jesus is explaining the Kingdom of God, He's so clearly saying, that what's going to happen is that human beings are going to be filled with the wisdom that flows from the angelic realm into the human realm, we'll be taught, we'll be shown, we'll be awakened. It's a beautiful image of what God has asked Jesus to establish on this earth. Connection with Him. The Closing Prayer Father, awaken our imagination, our curiosity to ponder these words and images that you have shared with us so that we can open our hearts to a reality that is beyond our imagining. And we ask this in Jesus' name, Amen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20260929dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. Philippians 2:3-4 How Can I Help? ‘What do I get out of it?’ ‘What’s in it for me?’ ‘When do I get mine?’ Do you ever find yourself thinking that way? Of course you do! Everyone does. Since we were little, we have been wired to look out for me, myself, and I. I think one of the first words my children ever spoke was ‘mine.’ People are selfish. It is in our nature. But is that how God would have us live? No. The author of today’s Bible reading tells us that God has a different way, a better way for us to interact with others. He tells us to humbly put others above ourselves. Put others first? Yes! Imagine what your relationships would look like if you did that every day. Imagine what that would look like if husbands and wives put each other’s needs and desires before their own. Imagine what that would look like if parents and children always looked to serve one another. What a happy home that would be! But think if everyone did that outside of the home as well. How blessed our communities and country would be! What would make someone want to do that? The author explains that the answer is simple: Jesus. Jesus’ life was about putting you and me above himself. His mission in life was to save us, and he did that by always putting us first in his heart, to the extent that he shed blood and gave up his life for you and me. Follow Jesus’ lead, rather than asking, “What’s in it for me?” ask, “How can I help?” Remembering how Jesus served you, is there someone you could serve today? Is there someone you could put before yourself? Give it a try! Be that blessing to them! Prayer: Dear Jesus, you humbled yourself to save me. Forgive my selfish ambition and vain conceit. Create in me the same humble mind that is in you, so that I value others above myself and look to their interests in love. Amen. Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

Saint Michael Archangel, defend us in battle,be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil;may God rebuke him, we humbly pray; and do thou,O Prince of the heavenly host, by the power of God,cast into hell Satan and all the evil spirits who prowl through the worldseeking the ruin of souls. Amen.

 Heavenly Father, you have given us the protection and guidance of your holy Archangels, St. Michael, St. Gabriel, and St. Raphael. We ask for their intercession and help as we journey toward you. Saint Michael, defender of the Church and vanquisher of evil, stand with us in our daily battles. Shield us with your sword, and drive away all darkness and temptation. Saint Gabriel, messenger of God's Good News, help us to hear and respond to the Word with trust and joy. Guide us to proclaim Christ with courage and love. Saint Raphael, healer and companion of the journey, watch over the sick and suffering. Lead us to wholeness in body, mind, and spirit, and guide travellers safely on their way. Holy Archangels, surround us with your heavenly care. Help us to be faithful to God's will and open to His grace. May we walk always in the presence of the Lord. Amen. 

As Jesus traveled toward Jerusalem, someone asked Him, “Lord, are only a few people going to be saved?” Rather than give a number, Jesus issued a direct challenge: “Make every effort to enter through the narrow door.”In today's episode of the MY Devotional Podcast, Dr. Michael Youssef explains that this narrow door is Jesus Christ Himself. Salvation does not come through ethnicity, religious tradition, morality, or human effort. It comes through the shed blood of Christ and a heart that turns to Him in repentance and faith.But what does Jesus mean when He tells us to “make every effort”? He is not teaching salvation by works. Instead, Dr. Youssef shows how genuine repentance requires laying down our pride, abandoning every attempt to earn God's favor, and admitting our complete dependence on Christ. As John the Baptist declared, “He must become greater; I must become less.”Jesus warned that outward religion can never substitute for a true relationship with Him. People may perform good works, observe religious rituals, or even call themselves Christians, yet remain outside the Kingdom if they have never truly come to Christ.This devotional is a sobering call to examine where your confidence lies. Eternity is real, and the invitation of the Gospel is urgent. Enter through the narrow door—not trusting in yourself, but in Jesus Christ alone.Pray with me.Jesus, I trust in You and recognize that I bring nothing to earn salvation. You alone are my righteousness. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen. The voice you hear on the MY Devotional podcast is digitally generated with Dr. Youssef's permission. If today's devotional stirred a question, burden, or need for prayer, you don't have to walk through it alone.